South Carolina pastor arrested on suspicion of choking pregnant woman

CHARLESTON, S.C. — A South Carolina pastor accused of strangling a woman pregnant with his child is free on bond.

Rashan Lamar Wilson, 35, of North Charleston, was arrested Thursday on a charge of domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, news outlets report. He was released after posting $20,000 bond.

(Rashan Lamar Wilson)

Police said the alleged assault happened Monday at the Southside Impact Church in Charleston when the woman went there to drop off two children she and the pastor have together. According to the Post and Courier , the pair argued, Wilson choked her and she fell and hit her head on the ground.

The woman suffered an abrasion to her forehead, was treated at an area hospital and released.

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Wilson's attorney, David Aylor, denied the charges, saying his client will be cleared.

"He's not only a client, he's a friend," Aylor said. "What so far has been reported would be a horrendous example of domestic violence; however, when the true facts come out, we believe that (Pastor) Wilson will be exonerated of any criminal act as he looks forward to returning to his church and the community that he has diligently served and will continue to."

According to the arrest affidavit, between 11 p.m. and 11:54 p.m. Monday, Wilson was at Southside Impact Church, where he is pastor.

The victim said she had arranged to meet Wilson there to drop off their children.

"Once they met at the location, an argument ensued," the affidavit stated. "The defendant then lunged toward the victim, put both of his hands around her neck and squeezed tightly until she was unconscious for an indeterminate period of time."

The victim fell and hit her head on the ground, suffering an abrasion to the right side of her forehead, the affidavit stated. She called 911 after regaining consciousness and was transported to Medical University Hospital where she was treated and released, the affidavit stated.

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A witness saw the pair standing outside the victim's car, the affidavit stated. She then saw Wilson and the victim walk around the church where they were out of sight. The witness heard them talking and then "getting loud," the affidavit stated. When the victim returned to her vehicle about 4-5 minutes later, the witness said she was "disoriented, leaning, limping, forehead bleeding, sand and leaves in her hair."

Aylor said he is confident that facts will emerge over the course of the investigation that contradict the law enforcement narrative.

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