Kent County, Mich. (WZZM)- A Jenison man was back in court for a preliminary hearing Wednesday accused of drugging and kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and forcing her to leave the state.
Kent County prosecutors have charged 25-year old Travis Ghent with kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment.
Earlier this month Ghent's alleged victim 25-year old Raquel Mayhanagian disappeared from her Byron Center home for several days. From the beginning police say they believed she was with Ghent.
She says after days of being held captive she was able to escape from her ex who she had to face again in court.
Ghent, however, did not have much to say. He waved his right to a preliminary hearing so the court did not hear any testimony concerning the charges.
However, in her request for a personal protection order immediately after the incident, Mayhanagian says she broke up with Ghent the first week in October. She says the next day, he came to her house became abusive by forcing her into his car, beating and drugging her while headed to New York.
Ghent is facing two felony charges of kidnapping, which carries a life sentence and unlawful imprisonment, which carries a 15 year sentence. However, prosecutors have offered to drop the second charge if Ghent pleads to the kidnapping charge.
That deal is still on the table while the case is bound over to circuit court for trial.
Both Ghent's family and Mayhanagian declined to talk to the media after the hearing. However, Ken Ghent, Travis's father, issued a recent statement apologizing for his son's actions. In it he said his son was sick and addicted to various drugs. The family turned Ghent over to the police believing it was "the only way to save his life."
Ghent's next court appearance is expected to be scheduled for a date within the next 6 weeks.
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