Issue date: 9/17/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Associated Press Photo Vinson Filyaw, 37, accused of kidnapping a 14-year-old girl and keeping her in an underground bunker for more than a week, is shown during his bond hearing in this Sept. 18, 2006 file photo.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A year after he was taken into custody, a man goes on trial this week on charges he held a 14-year-old girl captive in an underground bunker until she summoned help with a cell phone text message.

Pretrial publicity prompted the judge to move the trial of Vinson Filyaw nearly 200 miles, from Kershaw County northeast of Columbia to the state's southern tip. The case gained national attention when the girl saved herself after being held more than a week. Jury selection was to begin Monday after the court handles some pretrial issues. Filyaw, who has been held without bail, faces 10 counts of criminal sexual conduct, which each carry a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison. He also is charged with kidnapping, impersonating an officer and possession of an incendiary device.

The cavity, covered with plywood and leaves, contained a hand-dug privy, a camp stove and crude shelves fashioned out of branches and canvas. Authorities said Filyaw, 37, brought the girl there after dressing up as a police officer and leading her away from a school bus stop.

The girl waited until Filyaw fell asleep, then used his cell phone to text message her mother. "Hi mom," the message read. "I'm in a hole across from Charm Hill where the big trucks go in and out. There's a bomb. Call police."

Investigators found the girl early on Sept. 16, 2006. The cell phone signal and her reference to "big trucks" led them to the wooded area near a quarry, less than a mile from her home. Once in the area, they heard her cries.

Early the next morning, authorities located Filyaw walking along a highway. He was carrying a pellet gun, a Taser and a hunting knife but surrendered when confronted.

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