Iowa kidnappers arrested in New Kent receive 40-year sentences in federal court
Laura Evelene Sorenson (left) and Aldair Hodza (right) will serve a minimum of 40 years in jail after being sentenced in federal court on Aug. 14.
Two Iowa residents who were involved in a kidnapping case that resulted in their arrest in New Kent learned their fate during federal court proceedings in Richmond on Aug. 14.
Aldair Hodza, 36, and Laura Evelene Sorenson, 31, will both serve at least 40 years in federal prison after a ruling was rendered by U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson.
On Jan. 6, an alert truck driver noticed suspicious activity in the parking lot of the Pilot truck stop on Route 106 near the Interstate 64 Talleysville Interchange around 3 p.m. New Kent sheriff’s dispatchers said the truck driver watched a male subject exit a recreational vehicle and enter the truck stop’s convenience store several times over a short span. He said he also spotted a young woman peering out of one of the RV’s windows just before someone inside violently snatched her away.
According to an incident report by state police investigator Stephanie McFall, the suspects permitted officers who arrived on the scene to enter the RV. Under questioning, the suspects said they were on vacation to visit Sorenson’s daughter. But the trooper noted that the victim seemed frightened while showing signs of malnutrition.
McFall took the young woman outside where she broke down in tears and begged McFall not to let her return to the RV. She said she was being held against her will and several days had passed since she last had anything to eat or drink. McFall reported the victim also had burns, cuts, and bruises on her body as a result of the suspects’ tactics of intimidation to injure or kill her. The victim also said she was forced to perform oral sex on Hodza, who she called “John” and another unknown man inside the RV as it sat in the Pilot parking lot.
Hodza and Sorenson were both arrested and held without bond. Federal authorities took over the case on Feb. 11 after charges were dropped in New Kent.
On May 1, both entered plea deals in federal court, with recommendations suggesting that the two suspects serve 35 years on one of the kidnapping charges, with 10 years on the other count to be served concurrently.
While both Hodza and Sorenson knew they would serve at least 15 years as minimal time under federal law, Hudson exceeded the 35-year recommendation.
Sorenson will serve 40 years behind federal prison system while Hodza received a lengthier stay, receiving a total of 41 years and eight months to serve.