Elgin man out on bond for attempted kidnapping re-arrested, accused of possessing child pornography

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — A Midlands man out on bond for assault and attempted kidnapping charges was arrested again on Monday by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

A bond hearing for the suspect, 24-year-old Timothy Ulness, was held on Tuesday afternoon at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Ulness is now being charged with third degree sexual exploitation of a minor and is accused of possessing over 600 images and videos of child pornography.

A $350,000 cash-only surety bond was issued by the judge for the suspect — who is also a husband and father of a two year old child.

According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, on August 2nd, Ulness allegedly hit a victim driving her bicycle on Miles Road.

He then allegedly got out of his vehicle and assaulted the woman — hitting her in the face and choking her. Deputies say he then attempted to kidnap the woman.

She fought back — managing to escape and call 911— leading to his arrest.

Sheriff Leon Lott saying the victim did the right thing.

“You gotta fight back, you cannot let them take your body. They wanna take your car your pocket book, we can replace all that, but don’t let them take your body,” he says.

Deputies say the victim suffered a broken finger and multiple bruises and lacerations.

“She fought for her life. In my eyes, she’s a hero for what she did. She demonstrated courage and strength — and she’s not gonna be a victim. And she continues to not be a victim. But we got all these kids in these videos and pictures he’s got, they’re victims too, we gotta speak up for them,” says Lott.

Deputies say while executing the search warrant on his phone, they discovered over 600 images and videos of child pornography.

Lott reiterating that Ulness is a husband and father of a two-year-old child.

“It’s sick. Absolutely sick. That you have a two-year-old child and you’re looking at child porn. As a father of four daughters I just can’t imagine that. How somebody could be…I’ve said this once before and I’ll say it again, there’s a special place in hell for people like that,” says Lott.

Ulness was initially released on two $50,000 surety bonds. Lott believes he should have never been out on bond to begin with, saying, “That’s scary. That’s scary for her probably number one but that’s scary for every other woman in the Midlands.”

No trial date has been set for the suspect. Lott says the victim in the kidnapping incident continues to heal both physically and mentally.