When WWE Found Out About Sonya Deville’s Arrest

Sonya Deville was arrested in New Jersey when she was caught with a firearm that she didn’t have a proper permit for. She has carried a weapon since her horrifying stalker incident in 2020, but she hadn’t made it legal yet in New Jersey. That February 19th arrest didn’t break until March 1st, but news of her arrest traveled fast within WWE.

Ringside News reached out to ask about Sonya Deville’s situation. We were told by a tenured member of the staff that the creative team was notified of her arrest when it happened. After all, this situation could have very likely thrown a wrench in any plan to use her in the immediate short-term.

The initial report on her arrest from TMZ noted that, “WWE sources indicated there was no heat on Sonya Deville, with the understanding of why she would want to protect herself following the stalker and home invasion situation.”

Sonya Deville’s stalker, Philip Thomas II, was arrested and charged with aggravated stalking, armed burglar, attempted armed kidnapping, and criminal mischief. Mandy Rose was actually staying with Sonya Deville at the time, a fact that was attention-grabbing because the two were currently engaged in a SummerSlam feud. A protective order to keep Thomas away from Sonya was also filed. Deville was understandably traumatized by the entire situation.

In 2021, Judge Barbara Twine ruled that Sonya Deville’s stalker was unfit to stand trial. The stalker was then sent to a mental health facility on June 22, 2021. It is not known if Thomas is still in that facility, but Wrestling Inc. has reported that the case is now listed as closed in related legal documents. The case was finally closed in April 2022.

We will have to see when Sonya Deville returns to WWE television. Judging by the response she received from fans after this story broke, she might have just turned herself into a massive babyface after this gun arrest.

For more on this story, and everything else going on in the pro wrestling world, keep it tuned here with us at Ringside News.

What’s your take on this situation? Sound off in the comments!