A Virginia man is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly taping his wife to a chair and leaving her in their basement for nearly an hour so he could watch football upstairs without being interrupted.
Terry Ward, 64, of Richmond, was arrested following a domestic disturbance at the couple’s home on October 11. What officers reportedly discovered has since sparked widespread attention because of the bizarre circumstances surrounding the alleged incident.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Richmond court, Ward’s wife told investigators that her husband had restrained her with tape and placed her in a chair in the basement of their home.
She estimated that she remained tied up for approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
The incident reportedly occurred while Ward was watching football on television upstairs, although police have not confirmed that the game was his reason for allegedly restraining his wife.
Richmond police responded to the couple’s home in the 2200 block of Maplewood Avenue, near Byrd Park, around 11:30 p.m. after receiving a report of a domestic disturbance.
When officers arrived, the woman described what had happened and said her husband had used tape to secure her to the chair.
Investigators reportedly observed visible marks and tape residue on both of her arms, evidence that appeared consistent with her account.
But the most surprising detail emerged when officers questioned Ward himself.
According to the criminal complaint, an officer wrote that Ward acknowledged tying his wife to the chair and placing her in the basement.
The alleged admission became a central part of the case against him.
Sources familiar with the incident later told the local news outlet Virginia Statewide Incidents that Ward had wanted to watch football without his wife interrupting him.
The unusual explanation quickly spread across social media, with the story attracting attention from national news outlets.
However, Richmond police have emphasized that they have not publicly confirmed the reported motive or released additional details about what led to the confrontation.
It also remains unclear which football game Ward was watching or whether an argument occurred before his wife was allegedly restrained.
What authorities have confirmed is that the incident resulted in two criminal charges.
Ward faces felony abduction by force and misdemeanor assault and battery against a family or household member.
Under Virginia law, abduction does not necessarily involve transporting someone to another location. Unlawfully restraining a person and depriving them of their freedom can also qualify as abduction under certain circumstances.
That distinction makes the allegations considerably more serious than the unusual football-related explanation might initially suggest.
The woman has not been publicly identified, and authorities have not released additional information about whether she required medical treatment.
Court records indicate that Ward’s initial arraignment and bond hearing were postponed.
He is now scheduled to appear in Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court on November 10.
As the case moves forward, investigators will have to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged restraint and whether the evidence supports the criminal charges.
Ward has not been convicted, and the allegations against him remain subject to the court process.
For now, the case has attracted national attention because of the extraordinary claim that a husband allegedly confined his wife to the basement simply to enjoy a football game.
But behind the unusual circumstances is a serious domestic violence investigation involving accusations of unlawful confinement and physical restraint.
The next court hearing is expected to provide further insight into how prosecutors intend to proceed.
