Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate charged with kidnapping, rape

An Oklahoma man running for governor has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and rape.

Paul Tay, who The Washington Post reports has run for numerous city government positions in Tulsa, was arrested on Monday on charges including first-degree rape, kidnapping and assault with a dangerous weapon, The Tulsa Police Department said in a news release.

The victim told police that she responded to a Craiglist ad to join Tay’s gubernatorial campaign team. The job offered a salary and place to stay, according to police. 

Authorities said that Tay then picked up the victim in his vehicle, saying they would drive from Bethany, Okla., to Oklahoma City, but instead, Tay began driving to Tulsa.

Tay allegedly began to hit the victim with a pipe and sexually assaulted her while she was unable to get out of the vehicle, according to Tulsa police. 

“The victim said she was afraid to try to get out of the car because he had already assaulted her with a pipe,” police said.

Police say that Tay then locked the victim in his vehicle while he was panhandling for money. Once he collected the money, Tay drove the victim back to his residence in Tulsa where police say he continued to sexually assault her.

The Tulsa Police Department said they were able to arrest Tay after the victim convinced him to take her to Walmart so she can buy hygiene products, where she got away from him and asked store employees for help, the news release said. 

The arrest comes as Tay, who is running as an independent in the gubernatorial race, has gained notoriety over the years for his political stunts and run-ins with law enforcement, the Post reported. 

If convicted, Tay could face up to five years to life for the rape charge, 10 years for assault with a dangerous weapon, and 20 years for kidnapping. 

Tay, 58, is currently being held on an $85,000 bond in county jail and scheduled to appear in court on Monday, the Post noted.