Pasco man accused of beating, holding girlfriend against will

A Pasco man is being held on $100,000 bail for allegedly beating and holding his girlfriend against her will for a month.

Larry Dean Buck, 39, pleaded innocent Tuesday in Franklin County Superior Court to second-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment.

His trial is set for March 23.

According to court documents, Pasco police were called to the Shopping Spot Mini Mart, 128 S. 28th St., at 1:15 p.m. Jan. 27 for a report that a hysterical woman was asking for help from police.

Officers found the woman, 45, later determined to be Buck's girlfriend, shaking and crying and trying to catch her breath.

She had bruising on her face and chest, a cut on the bridge of her nose and cuts on her left ankle, documents said. She told officers the rest of her body also was bruised.

She said she was held against her will by Buck at the Sage N Sun Motel and inside a motor home at 2714 W. Hopkins St., documents said.

She told officers that Buck beat her and attempted to drown her, documents said. She also said a knife might have been involved.

The woman said she was able to escape from the motor home and run to the store for help.

Officers said she had "head to toe" bruising, documents said.

Witnesses interviewed by investigators said the couple had been at the Sage N Sun Motel for a month.

Buck reportedly left the room daily, but they never saw the woman leave the room, documents said. They also said the only time the woman was seen, she was covered in blankets.

This story was originally published February 9, 2011 at 6:01 AM with the headline "Pasco man accused of beating, holding girlfriend against will."