Rico Funderburk: South Carolina man sentenced to 80 years for torturing GF with socket wrench and baseball bat

CONWAY, SOUTH CAROLINA: A Conway man was convicted on Friday, February 2 for kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct and assault and battery, according to Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson, as reported by WPDE.

The judge on Friday sentenced Rico Antonio Funderburk to serve 30 years for kidnapping; 30 years for first-degree criminal sexual conduct and 20 years for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. As per Law and Crime, the sentences will run consecutively for a total of 80 years and the punishment is the maximum penalty for each charge.

What did Rico Antonio Funderburk do?

Conway's Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office reports that Funderburk and the victim started dating in July 2021. However, the relationship swiftly descended into violence. The victim had many traumatic injuries after being "severely" beaten with a tire iron, socket wrench, and baseball bat. She also sustained several body burns of the third degree. She was also sexually attacked by Funderburk.

Prosecutors described what the victim went through as an “unimaginable ordeal.”

She escaped from Funderburk on August 28, 2021, and ran to the Walmart in Horry County where customers called for help. Cops with the Horry County Police Department arrested Funderburk days later.

Justice after horrible ordeal

Police discovered that the incident began on August 10, 2021, and lasted for about three weeks. At the time, local affiliate WBTW reported that the culprit had taken her phone, clothes, and personal items while threatening to murder her.

"Convictions like this are especially meaningful because they give justice to an innocent victim and protect others from violent offenders,” Leigh Waller, a senior assistant solicitor, said in a press release.

He added, "We are grateful to the Horry County Police Department, and in particular Sergeant Christian Fletcher, for their assistance in the prosecution of this case. Without their diligent efforts we would have been unable to protect the community and bring this defendant to justice.”