Philip Thomas: WWE wrestler Sonya Deville's armed stalker sentenced to 15 years in prison
TAMPA, FLORIDA: Philip Thomas, an obsessive fan of Sonya Deville, accepted a plea deal that will put him in prison for 15 years after being accused of stalking and plotting to abduct the WWE star. Thomas, 27, is accused of breaking into Deville's home in August 2020 by making a hole in her patio screen.
Prosecutors claimed that Thomas was "obsessed" with the wrestler at the time and threatened to kill her lover in a series of Instagram posts, according to DailyMail. Thomas allegedly got angrier when Deville didn't respond and even threatened Deville's previous girlfriend, telling her that she didn't "deserve" the wrestler. Thomas sent Deville, whose real name is Daria Berenato, a number of threatening messages before the break-in incident at 3 am on August 2020.
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What messages did Philip Thomas send to Sonya Deville?
Deville claimed that she disregarded the majority of Thomas's messages up until the point when he broke into her home and searched outside of her property after her alarm system went off. Thomas had sent her a message that read, "I'm going to summer slam with you as your boyfriend and I'm going to force you to do what I want, You're gonna give me what I want," according to DailyMail.
Another message by Thomas read, "When I get my hands on you I'll make sure you understand what pain you have put me through." The last message Deville received from Thomas before he broke into her home read, "Hey baby look outside, I'm by your pool and I'm going to kill that little b***h that's inside with you."
What transpired on the day Philip Thomas broke into Sonya Deville's home?
Thomas had traveled from South Carolina to Tampa, and video surveillance caught him breaking into Deville's home. In the video, Deville can be seen spotting Thomas as he examines the sliding door. She can then be seen turning around and running away as Thomas follows behind her, having entered her home with a "blank look." Thomas was still inside the home when police arrived.
The wrestler claimed that the man "stared at her" till she began screaming while wearing a black mask and being fully clothed in black. At Thomas' bail hearing, she stated to the judge, "He had black clothing on, and a black mask and he was just standing there staring at me. I looked up I saw him. I was terrified! I started screaming I don't even know what I said," according to DailyMail.
What were the charges against Philip Thomas?
Thomas was charged with aggravated stalking, attempted armed kidnapping, burglary with a weapon, and criminal mischief, according to DailyMail. He was given a 15-year jail sentence after entering a guilty plea to the charges, and after his release, he will serve another 15 years on probation. Records show that Thomas must perform 50 hours of community service after being released from jail, but due to his 975 days of credit for time served, he is expected to be released in 2035.
'To say it's over feels odd'
"Thank you to everyone who has reached out today," Deville stated in a statement issued following the announcement of his sentence, according to DailyMail. She continued, "After almost three years we finally got some closure last week. I am happy and healthy and have amazing people by my side."
"To say it's over feels odd but I am beyond grateful for the support and help I received over the past three years from HCSO, Tampa PD, to everyone in the courts, attorneys, friends, security and so so many more. I have a lot to say pertaining to this situation which I feel can help a lot of people in similar situations now that the legalities are over. BUT for now thank you," Deville concluded.