Aggravated Abduction

Aggravated abduction in Virginia is abduction with the intent to extort money or for immoral purposes.  Aggravated abduction under Va. Code §18.2-48 is committed when an offender abducts a person with the intent to extort money or for pecuniary benefit, with intent to defile, abducts a female under the age of 16 for the purpose of prostitution, or abducts a minor for the purposes of manufacturing child pornography.

Proof of Aggravated Abduction in Virginia

To convict an offender of aggravated abduction in Virginia under Va. Code §18.2-48, the Commonwealth must prove both that the offender abducted the victim and did so for an immoral purpose.  For more information on proof of abduction in Virginia, click here.

An offender commits an aggravated abduction by:

• using force, intimidation or deception to
• seize, take, transport, detain or secrete
• another person
• with intent to deprive that person of personal liberty or withhold that person from lawful custody
• without legal justification or excuse
• for the purpose of:
  • extorting money or obtaining other pecuniary benefit,
  • defiling the victim,
  • concubinage or prostitution of a minor under the age of 16,
  • prostitution of any person, or
  • manufacturing child pornography.

Penalty for Aggravated Abduction in Virginia

Aggravated abduction in Virginia under Va. Code §18.2-48 is a Class 2 felony.  Aggravated abduction in Virginia is punished with 20 years up to life in prison.

Additionally, if the offender does not receive a life sentence for an offense involving an intent to defile, prostitution, or manufacturing child pornography, there will be an additional mandatory suspended sentence of at least 40 years.

If the victim of the aggravated abduction with intent to defile or for prostitution was a minor, Va. Code §18.2-370.2 provides that the offender will also be prohibited from going within 100 feet of a playground, athletic field or facility, or gym owned or operated by any locality for the purpose of having contact with any children not in his custody.

Aggravated Abduction in Virginia Statute

§18.2-48. Abduction with intent to extort money or for immoral purpose.

Abduction (i) of any person with the intent to extort money or pecuniary benefit, (ii) of any person with intent to defile such person, (iii) of any child under sixteen years of age for the purpose of concubinage or prostitution, (iv) of any person for the purpose of prostitution, or (v) of any minor for the purpose of manufacturing child pornography shall be punishable as a Class 2 felony. If the sentence imposed for a violation of (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) includes a term of confinement less than life imprisonment, the judge shall impose, in addition to any active sentence, a suspended sentence of no less than 40 years. This suspended sentence shall be suspended for the remainder of the defendant’s life subject to revocation by the court.