Virginia Man Charged After Duct-Taping Wife to Basement Chair to Watch Football

A 64-year-old Virginia man, Terry Ward, was arrested in Richmond after allegedly duct-taping his wife to a chair in the basement so he could watch a football game undisturbed. Read the full domestic report on Urban Radio.

A domestic disturbance call in Richmond, Virginia, took a bizarre turn after police arrested a 64-year-old man who allegedly bound his wife to a chair in their basement with tape so he could watch a football game upstairs without interruption.

The suspect, identified as Terry Ward, was taken into police custody following an emergency domestic incident report filed by his wife.

Details of the Incident

According to official court filings and criminal complaints, police officers responded to the couple’s residential address in Richmond following a domestic call.

Upon arrival, officers interviewed Ward’s wife, who detailed the unsettling sequence of events:

• Restrained in the Basement: The victim reported that Ward forcibly used heavy tape to secure her to a chair located in the basement of their home before heading back upstairs to watch a televised football broadcast undisturbed.

• Physical Evidence: Responding officers noted visible physical evidence at the scene, including red marks and heavy adhesive tape residue on both of the victim’s arms.

• Duration of Restraint: The victim told law enforcement that she remained bound to the basement chair for approximately 30 to 45 minutes before being freed and contacting authorities.

• Suspect’s Admission: During preliminary questioning by responding officers, Ward openly admitted to binding his wife with tape and leaving her in the basement while he watched the game.

Legal Charges and Pending Court Hearing

Following his arrest, Terry Ward was formally charged with two major offenses:

1. Felony Abduction (Class 5 Felony under Virginia Law)

2. Misdemeanor Assault and Battery on a Family Member

Ward was booked into the local detention facility before being released on bail pending his formal arraignment. He is scheduled to make his next official court appearance on November 10, 2026.

While the bizarre motive behind the incident attracted widespread reaction across social media platforms, law enforcement officials emphasized that domestic restraint and physical coercion remain serious criminal violations regardless of the circumstance.