Justin Foss, 20, of Evans, Ga., has been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of armed robbery and possession of a deadly weapon.
Kathleen Fentress, 16, reportedly had a relationship with Foss on Facebook. She was charged on the same counts as Foss except possession of a deadly weapon.
Greer police have charged 20-year-old Justin Foss, of Evans, Ga., and 16-year-old Kathleen Fentress with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of kidnapping and two counts of armed robbery. Foss was also charged with possession of a deadly weapon.
Foss was denied bond by a judge late Tuesday night. Fentress, who was charged as an adult, was given a $300,000 bond.
David Verdier, the first Greer police officer on the scene, reported that dispatch directed him to a report of a kidnapping within the Riverwood Farms subdivision. He was told a teenager had just been taken by an unknown male in a gold Ford Explorer type of vehicle.
A neighbor, Dan Benham, waved down Verdier who stated his neighbor (Stephanie Cowart) had knocked on his door moments earlier to ask for police because she had been held hostage and her husband (Ulie Cowart) stabbed.
Stephanie Cowart led Verdier to a back bedroom where her husband was laying on the bed bleeding from the neck. Verdier said he observed a large pool of blood on the bed and dried blood covering the victim’s arms and head. Ulie Cowart was under the covers and another neighbor (Penny Benham) was holding his right hand. He was awake, Verdier reported, but did not seem to be able to respond when he was asked his name. Ulie Cowart also reportedly did not respond when asked what happened.
Stephanie Cowart came into the bedroom and told Verdier that Justin Foss had gotten into their house around 5 a.m. Cowart said she believed her daughter (Kathleen Fentress) let Foss in. Cowart further told the officer Fentress and Foss have been having a relationship on Facebook.
Cowart told Verdier the boy came into the house and stabbed Ulie. No motive was given for the stabbing at the time. Foss then took all the phones in the house and did not allow the victims to leave or call for help.
Foss and Fentress tied up Stephanie Cowart, according to the warrants. They binded her hands and covered her mouth with painter's tape. The warrants also said the two threatened Fentress' mother with a gun, and demanded money and jewelry.
Foss, according to the report, was in the house for three hours and left with Fentress around 8:45 a.m.
Stephanie Cowart then ran next door to get help from Dan and Penny Benham. That’s when a "be on the lookout" alert was put out for the vehicle, and the suspects, to Greenville and Spartanburg counties and the Highway Patrol.
Ulie was transported by EMS to Greenville Memorial Hospital. He was reported recovering after Tuesday's surgery.
Spartanburg County deputies said they pulled over the vehicle in Roebuck, near U.S. Highway 221 and Hobbysville Road. They said the Foss was arrested without any problems.
Foss is being held this morning at the Greer jail while Fentress is being held at the Greenville County Juvenile Detention Center.
Riverside Middle, Riverside High and Woodland Elementary, were placed on lockdown at one point of the investigation.