A Cumberland County deputy was traveling on Lantana Road yesterday when he observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. During a traffic stop, the deputy was informed the woman driving the vehicle was taking another woman to the hospital due to assault. The deputy observed the passenger with serious injuries to her head and facial area, in the form of lacerations, swelling, and excessive bleeding. The deputy followed the vehicle to the hospital where the injured female was identified as Nichole Cohen.

Ms. Cohen stated that she and her boyfriend, Dustin Seney, had gotten into a verbal altercation. She claimed that he then began smashing a TV in their bedroom, and when Nichole confronted him she told him that she was done with their relationship. Seney, who was reportedly intoxicated, became irate, picked up a wooden post with nails on the end, and began striking Nichole numerous times in the head and facial area.

According to the police report, Nichole did have injuries consistent with her story.

When deputies arrived at the residence, they heard a loud commotion coming from inside the house. Deputies entered the residence where they observed fresh sheetrock pieces torn down, along with insulation falling from the ceiling. After trying to order the suspect out of the ceiling, he refused to exit. After multiple attempts, a deputy crawled through the ceiling space and located Dustin Seney hidden behind some ductwork. He was then detained.

After obtaining a search warrant of the residence to investigate, deputies found blood splatter, dried blood stains, and a wooden porch railing spindle that contained nails on the end, which was found to be the weapon from the assault.

Dustin Ryan Seney, age 30 was charged with Aggravated Assault. His bond is 50,000.