SPOKANE, Wash. – A man accused of kidnapping his daughter and taking her to Mexico appeared in federal court today.
According to the Washington Prosecution office, Aaron Aung has been charged with one count of International Parental Kidnapping, according to a criminal complaint. He was arraigned in federal court on Aug. 2.
The complaint states that on June 3, Aung was scheduled to travel to the Pullman Police Department for a custody exchange involving the victim and the victim’s mother. However, neither Aung nor the victim showed up for the exchange. Instead, FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents obtained photos of a car allegedly driven by Aung that crossed into Mexico on June 1 at the Andrade, California border crossing.
The complaint further alleges that on July 4, Aung, the victim, and Aung’s fiancé, Nadia Cole, were contacted by Mexican officials. Cole was subsequently deported to the U.S., while Aung and the victim remained in Mexico. On July 7, Aung and the victim were encountered by Mexican officials near the U.S.-Mexico border in Nogales. Mexican officials then deported Aung and the victim to the port of entry near Nogales, Arizona, where they were handed over to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials. Border officials took custody of both Aung and the victim and detained Aung on an outstanding felony warrant from Whitman County for first-degree custodial interference.
“Children deserve to live in a world where they are safe, surrounded by adults who love and care for them,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Our office prioritizes offenses against our community’s youngest and most vulnerable victims and will continue to aggressively prosecute those who harm children.”
The FBI is currently investigating this case. Aung also made his first appearance in Federal Court today.
