An Illinois man is facing federal charges after allegedly plotting to kidnap a young boy from a private school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and hold him for a $100,000 ransom.
Devontay Shields, 35, of Danville, Illinois, was arrested Saturday at Chicago's Union Station while attempting to board an Amtrak train bound for Miami.
The criminal complaint, filed Sunday in U.S. District Court in Chicago, charges him with one count of attempted kidnapping.
Shields communicated his plan to abduct a random boy to several individuals who were secretly cooperating with law enforcement, according to the complaint. These individuals recorded conversations with Shields, including one in which he stated his intention to "get me a little boy" from a private school. Shields described how he would target a smaller child, claiming it would be easier to lure them away with candy and toys.
"All we got to do is grab one of the kids and holding them," Shields allegedly texted. "It got to be like a smaller kid because we can convince them with candy and toys when we take them from the school. It will be easier to control them all of the parents is rich there..."
Prior to his arrest, Shields allegedly purchased zip ties and children's toys, which he had with him at the time of his apprehension.
The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Chicago Police Department, Amtrak Police, and others. Federal authorities highlighted the coordinated effort that led to Shields' arrest before he could carry out his alleged plan.
"The safety and well-being of children is a top priority for law enforcement," said Sean Fitzgerald, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of HSI, in a statement.
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