Phillip Thomas has been sentenced to 15 years in prison with a further 15 years probation for the attempted kidnapping of Sonya Deville, real name Daria Berenato in 2020.
As reported by Fox 13, Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas accepted a plea agreement in which Thomas pleaded guilty to the charges. These charges included attempted kidnapping, aggravated stalking, and armed burglary.
Prosecutors stated that after sending a number of threatening messages on social media, Thomas drove from South Carolina to Florida in search of the star. He carried with him a knife, duct tape, and zip ties, and arrived at Deville’s home with the intention of kidnapping her.
Surveillance footage from Deville’s home showed the star checking a sliding door after her alarm system was triggered. Footage also showed Thomas walking around Deville’s home looking for the star, however, she had managed to leave the residence along with Mandy Rose.
Sonya Deville Returned To WWE TV In January 2021
Shortly after the incident, Sonya Deville was written off television and didn’t return until January 2021. After featuring as an authority figure alongside Adam Pearce, Deville eventually returned to the ring later that year before becoming a full-time wrestler once again in 2022.
In recent weeks, Deville has teamed with Chelsea Green. Her most recent televised match came on the April 28th episode of SmackDown where she was defeated by Zelina Vega.
Deville and Green were drafted to Monday Night Raw as part of the 2023 WWE Draft.