Cops: Couple attacks texting teen to teach lesson

SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — A Surfside Beach couple has been arrested after police say the couple tried to teach a 17-year-old male a lesson for sending racy text messages to a 15-year-old girl by forcing him to take off his clothes and threatening to cut off his genitals.

Police say 30-year-old Timothy Wilder is also accused of choking the teen early Monday.

The teen was sending the messages to a girl staying with the couple. But police say the couple took the girl’s cell phone and pretended to be her as they invited him to come over.

Police say the messages between the teens did not break any laws.

Wilder and 51-year-old Wendy Cox faces kidnapping and other charges. It wasn’t clear if they have a lawyer.