James Russell Senkus Jr., 41, was charged by Pennsylvania State Police at Schuylkill Haven with felony counts of kidnapping to inflict injury or terror, three counts of strangulation, and unlawful restraint, along with misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, simple assault, and summary harassment.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, troopers were contacted by the victim at approximately 6:45 p.m. on July 10 after she arrived at the Schuylkill Haven barracks to report the incident.
Police said the incident began around 3:30 a.m. when Senkus arrived at the victim's aunt's apartment in the 200 block of Heritage Heights in Norwegian Township, where the victim was staying. Investigators said Senkus repeatedly banged on the apartment door and threatened to "bang the door down" if he was not allowed inside.
Fearing the situation could escalate, the victim armed herself with a kitchen knife before speaking with Senkus outside, according to court documents.
The affidavit states the victim agreed to talk with Senkus and walked toward his vehicle. While outside, Senkus allegedly grabbed the victim by both wrists, forcing her to drop the knife. The victim's aunt intervened, telling Senkus to let her go and that the victim did not want to leave with him. Senkus allegedly told the victim he knew another person was coming to the apartment and that he would not allow her to stay before dropping the knife and walking away.
Police said the victim believed the encounter had ended and went back inside the apartment. However, Senkus allegedly returned a short time later and again began pounding on the apartment door. To avoid creating another disturbance, the victim agreed to leave with him.
According to investigators, once the victim entered Senkus' vehicle, he grabbed the keys and drove away. Police allege he became irate while driving on Gordon Nagle Trail, accelerated to a high rate of speed, ignored stop signs, and threatened the victim by saying, "that's where your body is going to go." Court documents state Senkus also told the victim he was going to bury her in the ground while pointing a hill and threatened that he was going to "put a bullet in her head"
The victim repeatedly pleaded with Senkus to let her out of the vehicle and drive her home, but police said he instead took her to his residence on Hillside Road in North Manheim Township.
Once inside the home, investigators allege Senkus forcefully grabbed the victim by the wrists and pulled her upstairs to a bedroom before striking her in the face.
According to the affidavit, Senkus then grabbed the victim by the throat, forced her to the floor, mounted her, and choked her to the point she was unable to breathe. The victim later attempted to leave the bedroom, but police said Senkus again grabbed her throat, prevented her from exiting, and physically blocked the doorway despite repeated pleas to leave.
Troopers allege Senkus continued the assault by spitting in the victim's face, striking her in the back, and pinning her inside a closet. When the victim attempted to escape, Senkus allegedly grabbed her by the hair and pulled her toward the floor.
Police said the victim remained in the bedroom for approximately 1½ to 2 hours.
According to investigators, Senkus and the victim later got into a vehicle outside the residence. The victim was able to escape the vehicle and fled on foot. Troopers said Senkus drove after her, convinced her to get back into the vehicle, returned her to the Heritage Heights apartment, and acted as though nothing had happened.
Senkus was arraigned Monday, July 13th, 2026 before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, who set bail at $50,000 monetary. Unable to post bail, Senkus was committed to Schuylkill County Prison. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 11 before Magisterial District Judge Edward M. Lewis.