Sonya Deville‘s attempted kidnapper has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
FOX 13 Tampa Bay reported the news on May 2 after Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas accepted a plea agreement in which Phillip A. Thomas II would be sentenced to 15 years in prison, as well as 15 years of probation. Thomas pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping, armed burglary, and aggravated stalking.
Thomas attempted to kidnap Daria Berenato (Sonya Deville) in August 2020; he entered her home, and he had a knife, plastic zip ties, and duct tape, among other items. Surveillance footage showed Thomas entering Deville’s house. Deville escaped the scene, and Thomas was subsequently arrested.
Deville previously spoke with Variety and said that she would comment on the attempted kidnapping when the trial was over, as she believed she could help others. Deville is still thankful for the overwhelming support she has received since the incident.
“I would say that about 70% of my fan base is part of the community somehow, some way. I get messages constantly on Instagram and Twitter and emails, just all the people always asking me like, ‘Hey, do you have any advice on how I should come out?’ Or ‘Thank you. You helped me feel OK with myself and my sexuality.’ That’s literally the reason I use my voice.”
