photo by: Jackson County Kansas Sheriff's Office

Martyne Christoper Elmer

A Topeka man pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Douglas County District Court to multiple charges in connection with an incident in which he struck a woman multiple times in the head while refusing to let her out of his vehicle.

The man, Martyne Christopher Elmer, 55, pleaded guilty to one felony count of possession of a firearm and one misdemeanor count each of criminal restraint, endangerment and domestic battery. He was originally charged with felony kidnapping, but the charge was amended as part of a plea agreement with the state. The charges relate to an incident on Dec. 18, 2022.

Assistant District Attorney Madeline Bjorklun said that Elmer and a woman were in Elmer’s vehicle near the Kwik Shop, 522 Ames St., in Baldwin City. Bjorklun said that the woman attempted to exit the vehicle at the convenience store but Elmer pulled her back into the car, then struck her in the head multiple times. Elmer then drove away recklessly, refusing to stop. Elmer eventually stopped the vehicle, pushed the woman out and drove away.

When Elmer was arrested in connection with the incident he was in possession of a firearm, Bjorklun said.

Elmer was recently convicted in Jackson County, Kansas, for burglary and has numerous convictions in Jackson County, Oregon, including felony convictions for burglary in 2018, endangerment in 2017 and misdemeanor convictions for assault and giving false information to a law enforcement officer.

Elmer is being held in the Douglas County Jail on a $100,000 cash or surety bond. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 3.