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SONYA DEVILLE STALKING CASE UPDATE

As noted several days ago by Steven Fernandes, WWE star Sonya Deville's temporary order of protection injunction against alleged stalker Phillip A. Thomas has been extended indefinetly until the criminal case is resolved.   Court record indicate the next hearing related to the order of protection will be Thursday 1/28/21.

The order states Thomas "shall not commit, or cause any other person to commit, any acts of stalking against Petitioner, including stalking, cyber-stalking, aggravated stalking, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death. Respondent shall not commit any other violation of this injunction through an intentional unlawful threat, word, or act to do violence to Petitioner."

The order also prevents Thomas (currently incarcerated in Tampa) from going near Deville's home, within 100 feet of her vehicles or any places requested by Deville where she, members of her family or those closely associated with her "regularly frequent."  The ruling also prevents Thomas from using or possessing any firearm or ammunition.

Thomas is scheduled to return to court in December and has been charged with Aggravated Stalking, Armed Burglary of a Dwelling, Attempted Armed Kidnapping, and Criminal Mischief.   Thomas is being represented by a public defender and has involved his fifth amendment right to remain silent.  Thomas' attorney argued that bail should be set at $2 million and that he could be electronically monitored but the court shot that down given the nature of the situation.

Tampa authorities stated that Thomas had allegedly been planning to kidnap Deville for months and drove from South Carolina to Deville's Florida home in order to do so.  Around midnight Sunday morning 8/16, Thomas parked his car and found the Deville's home, cut a hole in the patio screen and remained there for hours, watching and listening through the home's windows.  He entered the home around 2:43 AM after Deville went to bed, triggering an alarm by entering through a glass sliding door.  Deville saw Thomas and fled the home with another person who was a guest on the property, calling 911.

When authorities arrived, Thomas was still in the home and was found "carrying a knife, plastic zip ties, duct tape, mace and other items and told deputies he was planning to take the homeowner hostage."  Thomas' social media featured many references to her as well as responses to Deville and others who wrote about her.   Deville testified that Thomas sent threatening messages about her, her ex-girlfriend, her mother, her father, her sisters, her niece and Mandy Rose.

Deville has since taken time off from WWE, losing a "Loser Leaves WWE" match to Mandy Rose at Summerslam just days after the home invasion.

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