MAN WHO CHASED SONYA DEVILLE IS ARRESTED
“Thank you so much to everyone who reached out today. After almost 3 years we finally got closure last week. I'm happy and healthy and I have amazing people by my side. Saying it's over is weird, but I'm beyond grateful for the support and help I've received over the last 3 years from the Tampa police, everyone in the court, attorneys, friends, security and more. I have a lot to say about this situation that I feel can help a lot of people in similar situations now that the legalities are gone. But for now thank you very much!”
For those who don't remember the case, Phillip Thomas was arrested in August 2020 accused of stalking, armed robbery of a property, attempted kidnapping with a weapon and criminal damage. Tampa authorities stated that Thomas had been planning to kidnap Sonya Deville for months and had driven from South Carolina to Florida to Sonya's home to enact the plan. Around midnight on Sunday, August 16, 2020, Thomas parked his car and found Sonya's house. He opened a hole in the patio screen and spent hours watching and listening to the movements through the window of the house.
He entered the house around 2:43 am when Sonya went to bed, setting off an alarm as she entered through a sliding glass door. Sonya spotted Thomas and fled the house with Mandy Rose who was spending the night with her and called 911.
When authorities arrived, Thomas was still in the house and was found carrying a knife, plastic cable ties, duct tape, a bat and other items. He said he planned to take the lady of the house into custody. On Thomas' social media there were several posts about Sonya and several responses to posts by Sonya and others who talked about her. Sonya testified that the kidnapper sent threatening messages to her, her ex-girlfriend, her mother, father, sisters, niece and Mandy Rose.
Sonya left WWE after the event and returned in January 2021 with the story of being reinstated after losing a "Loser Leaves WWE" to Mandy Rose at Summerslam 2020. The fight took place days after the invasion and Sonya's departure was performed so that she could take some time off after the incident.
Phillip Thomas II pleaded guilty to the crimes of stalking, armed robbery of property, attempted kidnapping with a weapon and criminal mischief and sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 15 years of probation and 50 hours of community service. He was given credit for having already served 975 days in prison. He cannot have any direct or indirect contact with the victim, or with his family, without contacts through social networks or through third parties. He also needs a full-time job or submit 5 job attempts per week until he gets one and undergo sexual psychopathy evaluation and complete any recommended treatment with 60 days prior to his release.
