Virginia Man Allegedly Abducts Teenage Victim

A 20-year-old Virginia man faces felony charges for allegedly kidnapping a teenage male, according to an article by the Loudoun Times-Mirror.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office reported that this incident occurred on Tuesday, October 25 at approximately 8 p.m. in the 25000 block of Hartwood Drive in Chantilly. Sheriff’s deputies arrested the Virginia man the next day at approximately 9 a.m.

Police reports indicate that this abduction happened as a result of romantic entanglement. The teenage boy was apparently dating the Virginia man’s ex-girlfriend. And in the course of this incident, the Virginia man allegedly demanded that the teenage boy cease any romantic contact with the female in question.

As a result of this situation, the Virginia man faces charges for abduction and several other criminal offenses. The Virginia man currently remains in police custody at the Loudoun Adult Detention Center without bond.

While this matter continues to develop in legal circles, it seems appropriate to review the Virginia laws against and penalties for abduction/kidnapping offenses.

Virginia Laws Against Abduction/Kidnapping

Code of Virginia Section 18.2-47 provides the laws against abduction/kidnapping. Under this section, Virginia uses the terms abduction and kidnapping interchangeably. Both terms refer to the same offense.

There are two elements to abduction/kidnapping offenses under Section 18.2-47. The first element of abduction/kidnapping requires the perpetrator to:

• Use force, intimidation, or deception, without legal justification; and
• Seize, take, transport, detain, or secrete a victim.

The second element of abduction/kidnapping requires the perpetrator to demonstrate an intent to:

• Withhold or conceal the victim;
• Deprive the victim of their personal liberty; or
• Subject the victim to forced labor or services.

It is vital to note an exception to abduction/kidnapping offenses under Section 18.2-47. This section does not apply to law enforcement officers who are performing their official duties.

Virginia Penalties for Abduction/Kidnapping

Section 18.2-47 also furnishes the Virginia penalties for abduction/kidnapping. Generally speaking, abduction/kidnapping is a Class 5 felony in Virginia. If convicted, the punishment can include criminal fines up to $2,500 and imprisonment for one to 10 years.

But there is a separate penalty structure when the perpetrator is a parent of the victim. In these situations, if the parent abducts/kidnaps the victim within Virginia, it is a Class1 misdemeanor. If convicted, the punishment can include criminal fines up to $2,500 and a maximum jail sentence of one year.

If the parent abducts/kidnaps the victim and removes them from Virginia, it is a Class 6 felony. If convicted, the punishment can include criminal fines up to $2,500 and imprisonment for one to five years.

Do You Need Legal Help?

If you need legal assistance with abduction/kidnapping or other crimes in Virginia, it can be demonstrably helpful to speak with a trusted Leesburg criminal defense lawyer. The lawyers at Simms Showers LLP are available to assist with many types of criminal charges, including felonies like abduction/kidnapping. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free initial consultation.

SOURCES:

loudountimes.com/news/cops-kidnapping-suspect-motivated-by-jealousy/article_d824aac8-5703-11ed-84d6-03cf92ffbc74.html

law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter4/section18.2-47/