A Haywood County jury found a former jailer-turned-security guard guilty of strangling, raping and assaulting his then-wife.
Bryan Tadlock, 44, will serve a minimum active prison sentence of 29 years in prison up to a possible maximum active sentence of 43 years and eight months.
“This was a horrible and brutal case of domestic violence, and the victim showed true bravery in her willingness to pursue criminal charges and testify,” District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said.
Welch and Assistant District Attorney Jeff Jones prosecuted the case.
When arrested on March 29, 2022, Tadlock was employed as a security guard at Haywood County Community College. He is a former Swain County detention officer.
At trial, Welch and Jones presented evidence showing Tadlock became enraged the night he assaulted his then wife.
Tadlock threatened the victim with a handgun, including shoving it into her mouth. He slammed the victim’s head into the kitchen stove, hit her in the head and strangled her twice. Later, Tadlock raped her.
The victim was able to escape and seek medical attention after Tadlock fell asleep.
Jury members found Tadlock guilty of:
• First-degree rape.
• First-degree kidnapping.
• Assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.
• Two counts of assault by strangulation.
Superior Court Judge Gary Gavenus ordered Tadlock be entered for life in the N.C. Sex Offender Registry. He also instituted permanent no-contact orders.
Waynesville Police Det. Paige Shell and Officer Cody Corn were lead officers on the case.