May 30 – An Aiken man has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman.
Aiken County sheriff’s deputies arrested Joseph Maston Jr., 36, on Wednesday.
A woman said Maston came to her house around 4 a.m. on May 18 and appeared to be under the influence of drugs, according to a police report.
She claimed he sexually assaulted her and she tried to push him away.
The woman added that Maston choked until she passed out, pointed a gun at her and held a knife in front of her.
Maston threatened to come back and kill her if she called the police, he would kill her, the woman said.
Maston has been charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
First-degree criminal sexual conduct is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Kidnapping also carries a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
Possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime carries a prison sentence of five years in addition to the penalties for the underlying crime.
An Aiken County magistrate denied the bond.
No further court dates have been set.
