Local News in West Virginia: “Man Arrested for Kidnapping and Torturing Woman in Philippi

A man from West Virginia, Sammy Martz, has been arrested after being accused of kidnapping and torturing a woman. According to a criminal complaint, Philippi Police Department officers were called to a residence on January 24^th following a report of a domestic disturbance. The officers found the female victim hiding under the porch of the Philippi residence, and she told them that Martz had hit her In the face, as per a report by The News and Observer.

Lorenzo Orfila, 27, and Rafael Otano, 22, were booked into jail on Thursday morning in Miami. (Photo: Fox News)

The victim went on to say that she”had escaped the residence by running through the rear window after Martz threatened to kill her and had burned her with a torch on her stomach and leg. The victim’s eye was swollen shut, and she informed the police that Martz was inside the residence and was in possession of a firearm. This led to multiple law enforcement agencies entering the home and taking Martz into custody.

Based on a report by Fox News on January 25, 2023, Martz told the law enforcement officers that he had harmed the victim by striking her and burning her with a torch on at least three occasions. The complaint also stated that during a 4-5 hour period, Martz tortured the victim by striking her all over her body, sitting on her, and burning her with a butane torch. Martz is currently in custody at Tygart Valley Regional Jail and has been given no bond after being charged with kidnapping.