White nationalist extradited to Rock Hill, denied bond on kidnapping charges

ROCK HILL, S.C. — A white nationalist who spoke at the deadly Charlottesville rally in 2017 was arrested in Florida after he kidnapped his wife in Rock Hill, police said. Angustus Inviticus, 38, was extradited back to Rock Hill, authorities said Wednesday

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The Rock Hill Police Department said the victim told officers her husband, 36-year-old Augustus Invictus, came to the home they rented Dec. 12, 2019.

Augustus Invictus (Brevard County Sheriff's Office)

She said Invictus used a gun to force her and her children to go with him to Florida.

The victim said she was able to escape and reported the incident to police Dec. 22.

Officers said they issued warrants for Invictus on charges of kidnapping, domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature and possession of a weapon during a crime of violence.

Police said they worked with authorities in Brevard County, Florida, who found and arrested Invictus.

The victim was in the courtroom Thursday during Invictus’ bond hearing.

Rock Hill Detective Matt Beach told the court Invictus should stay locked up because his wife believes her life is in danger.

"She was 100% certain Augustus will kill her. It is only a matter of when," Beach said.

The judge allowed Invictus to speak Thursday.

“I am absolutely innocent,” Invictus said. “As soon as this is over and everybody finds out what happened, I will accept Detective Beach’s apology.”

Invictus is a known white nationalist who ran for Senate in Florida in 2016.

He was a key speaker at a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, protesting the decision to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from a public park.

White nationalists and neo-Nazi organizations attended the rally, which turned violent. One man drove his car through a crowd of counterprotesters, killing a woman.

Beach said Thursday Invictus was a danger to the public.

The detective read some of Invictus’ social media posts: “Loyalty. The lowest rung in hell is reserved for traitors – vendetta. If you take out one of ours, we will take out five of yours.”

Invictus told the judge those words have nothing to do with the case against him, and he told the judge he wasn't a flight risk.

Bond was denied Thursday on all charges.

Police said Invictus’ wife endured years of beatings and threats. She was hiding at a shelter after fleeing from Invictus last month.

He was granted a public defender who said Invictus’ views have nothing to do with the case.

"We're gonna handle this case the way we handle every serious case,” his attorney said. “We're gonna investigate it fully and defend it to the best of our ability."

A city judge can't set a bond on the kidnapping charge because it carries up to 30 years in prison.

Invictus will stay in jail until he goes before a circuit court judge.