A Russellville man charged with holding a man in Eldon against his will in December 2012 has been placed on five years supervised probation.
Christopher Whittle, 21, was in court Monday in Miller County, where he was charged with felonious restraint, amended from kidnapping, and unlawful use of a weapon.
A charge of armed criminal action was dismissed.
According to a Missouri Highway Patrol probable cause statement, Whittle had taken the victim at knifepoint from a residence on Route CC.
The victim had called a friend to say he had been beaten up and was being held for ransom.
Phone messages were recorded which indicated Whittle had called the victim's friend, threatening him and confirming he had the victim as a hostage and would cause the victim either serious injury or death.
Authorities discovered where the victim was being held and found him, along with Whittle who was hiding in the attic.