Cheyenne Man Facing Assault, Kidnapping Charges

A 25-year-old Cheyenne transient is facing numerous charges after allegedly beating his ex-girlfriend and kidnapping her and her two young children.

Court records say Cheyenne police were called to the Loaf 'N Jug at 1922 E. Lincolnway around 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 26 after John Ward reportedly hit his ex-girlfriend in the head with a baton, splitting her ear lobe open.

The woman told police that Ward had come over earlier in the day to spend time with their 8-month-old daughter and became angry with the way she was taking care of the baby.

She said Ward threw her on the ground, got on top of her and choked her until she blacked out. When she woke up about five minutes later Ward was gone.

Around 2 a.m. on Aug. 27, Ward reportedly woke his ex-girlfriend up and got into an argument with her. The woman told police that Ward packed a bag, grabbed the kids and put them in his pickup and, despite her efforts to stop him, forced her into his truck and began to drive.

Ward reportedly told his ex-girlfriend that he wanted to spend the day in Colorado with her and the kids before he committed suicide.

The woman said when Ward stopped in Colorado, he threatened to leave her and her oldest child on the side of the highway and take the baby. She refused and he threw her cell phone out of the pickup and kept driving.

Around 11 p.m. on Aug. 28, the woman was able to convince Ward to get a hotel room in Dalhart, Texas. She contacted local police around 1 a.m. the next morning when Ward left.

Ward was arrested on a warrant on Oct. 15 and has been charged with kidnapping inflict injury-voluntary release, interference with custody, aggravated assault and battery-bodily injury with weapon, strangulation of a household member-throat or neck and domestic battery-first offense. If convicted, he could face up to 40 years in prison.

Ward is currently being held in the Laramie County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27 at 2:30 p.m.