Erwin man accused of attacking North Carolina hotel worker to appear in court next month

Court records show a Unicoi County, Tennessee man accused of sexually assaulting a hotel worker in North Carolina will have one of his first legal appearances on April 11.

Richard Barnhill, 30, of Erwin, is charged with kidnapping, assault, and a second-degree forcible offense following the attack in Buncombe County.

The worker told the Asheville Citizen-Times that she nearly passed out as Barnhill tried to strangle her but she was able to kick him in the chest and face then escape the room.

(IMAGE: Pixabay)