CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – A James Island man has been sentenced to prison after he pleaded guilty on Tuesday to assaulting and stalking his girlfriend in May 2023.

Tyler Gage Black, who was convicted of first-degree assault and battery and stalking, faced a maximum of 15 years in prison on the combined charges. He was sentenced by the Honorable Dale E. Van Slambrook to eight years in prison, but was reduced to four years of active incarceration followed by five years of probation with counseling.

A permanent restraining order was entered for the future protection of the victim.

Black’s girlfriend gave Black a ride home to his James Island home from a local bar on May 17, 2023, where an argument ensued after the girlfriend tried to leave in her nearby vehicle, according to Solicitor Wilson’s office.

As she tried to run to her car, Black punched her with a closed fist and pulled her into his home, where he slapped her multiple times, headbutted her, and pushed her head against a table, causing injuries to her face and lip.

She was able to flee the home and make it to her car after her screaming risked alerting neighbors.

Black followed her in his car to a nearby Walmart parking lot but gave up the pursuit. The victim fled to a friend’s house, where she thought Black would not know its location. However, Black texted the victim and told her that he knew her location and left take-out food on her car to prove it.

Over the next several hours, Black sent the victim over 100 text messages and called her over 40 times. Many messages, including threats towards her and anyone helping her at the location, and that he was coming to get her.

The next morning, Black’s crimes were reported to the Charleston Police Department after the victim sought treatment for injuries at the Medical University of South Carolina. Black was booked into the Charleston County Jail.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Solicitor Chad Simpson, who was assisted by Investigator Joshua Pierce.

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