Rochester man indicted on kidnapping, threat charges

Gabriel Valentin

DOVER - A Rochester man has been indicted on kidnapping and threatening charges in connection with the alleged baseball bat beating of another man in the area of Townsend Lane in Rochester in August of 2016.

Gabriel Valentin, 39, of Townsend Lane, turned himself into police on Aug. 25, a week after the alleged attack.

According to the indictments, the victim was placed "in fear of imminent bodily injury or physical contact when Windell Conley pointed a firearm at him."

The kidnap indictment alleges that Valentin in concert with Conley "knowingly confined (the victim) under their control with a purpose to terrorize (him)."

Windell Conley (Rochester Police photo)

Conley, 34, of Somersworth, was also indicted this month on kidnapping and criminal threatening charges that could land him in state prison for up to 20 years or more.

The Aug. 18 incident began around 3:20 p.m. when police responded to the area of 4 Townsend Lane for a report of a 911 hang up call. Prior to the caller hanging up they stated a male was "going crazy with a gun" and he was covered in blood.

As police were responding additional information was obtained clarifying the male had been kidnapped, a gun pointed at him and beaten with a baseball bat by at least two suspects. The male had injuries to his body consistent with his statements made to responding officers, who searched for the suspects, including a K-9 team.

The victim was transported by ambulance to Frisbie Memorial Hospital for his injuries, which were described as nonlife-threatening.

Valentin could spend up to 15 years in jail on the kidnap charge and up to 20 years on the criminal threatening charge if convicted.

The Strafford County grand jury indictments were handed down on April 17 and released last week.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, only that enough evidence has been produced to move forward with trial.

Valentin is no longer being held at Strafford County House of Correction, jail personnel said today. Whether he made bail or was transferred to a different facility could not be immediately verified.