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- Philip Zodhiates, International Parental Kidnapping, VA 2023 · Virginia
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- Nicaraguan Man Sentenced for International Parental Kidnapping · Virginia
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Virginia Man Sentenced 36 Months for International Parental Kidnapping
The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. Zodhiates was convicted by a federal jury in 2023.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Van de Graaf and Michael DiGiacomo, who handled the prosecution of the case, Zodhiates conspired with Lisa Miller to take Miller’s then seven-year-old daughter from Virginia to Nicaragua in 2009. The two crossed over the Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry into Canada and then flew from Toronto, Ontario to Nicaragua.
Miller and the child have not been seen since. The kidnapping was an attempt to obstruct the parental rights of Miller’s former partner from a civil union that took place in the State of Vermont. The child was born during the period of the civil union and the State of Vermont accordingly governed the parental rights of both Miller and her former partner.
Lisa Miller is also charged with international parental kidnapping and conspiracy to commit international parental kidnapping but remains a fugitive. Also charged in this case is Timothy Miller (no relation) from Nicaragua. He was recently arrested after being deported by Nicaragua and is due to appear at a later date in the Western District of New York.
A fourth defendant, Kenneth Miller (also not related) from Virginia, was charged and convicted of international parental kidnapping in the District of Vermont in 2012. Kenneth Miller is currently serving a 27-month prison sentence.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Vermont Office of the United States Marshal’s Service, under the direction of David Damag, and the Vermont Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Andrew Vale, Special Agent-in-Charge.
Zodhiates’ sentencing sends a strong message that international parental kidnappings will not be tolerated. The case highlights the devastating effects of parental exploitation and the importance of protecting the rights of both parents and children.
Contact: Barbara Burns, (716) 843-5817, FAX: (716) 551-3051.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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