Moorhead Man Sentenced for Kidnapping Fargo Woman

FARGO—United States Attorney Drew Wrigley announced that on March 20, 2009, Vincent Paul Degidio, Jr., of Moorhead, Minnesota, pleaded guilty and was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Ralph R. Erickson on charges of kidnaping, use and carrying of firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Degidio, 29, pleaded guilty to entering a Fargo woman’s apartment and taking her at gunpoint to Moorhead, MN, for the purpose of sexually assaulting her.

During the evening hours of April 3, 2008, Degidio forced himself into the victim’s apartment, took out a pistol and forced her to give him a ride to Moorhead, MN. Degidio directed the victim to a recreational vehicle where he said he planned to rape and murder her. The victim managed to escape and ran to a nearby business. Degidio followed her and entered the business, where he committed an armed robbery. He assaulted the victim and struck her in the head with his pistol. She eventually fought him off and Degidio left the business. Police were called and the victim was transported by ambulance to the hospital.

Police officers were setting up a perimeter at Degidio’s Moorhead apartment when the defendant came out and fired at the officers. Degidio then fled the scene and was later found near a local golf course. Officers closed in on Degidio and instructed him numerous times to drop his weapon, but Degidio raised his firearm at the officers. Degidio was shot twice by officers. No officers were injured during the incident.

Judge Erickson sentenced Degidio to 28 years and 8 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Degidio was ordered to pay a $300 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund. A restitution hearing will be set at a later date.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fargo and Moorhead Police Departments, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Assistant United States Attorney Keith Reisenauer prosecuted the case.