MA Man Who Drove To Michigan To Kidnap Ex-Girlfriend Gets Prison Time

VINEYARD HAVEN, MA — A Massachusetts man who drove to Michigan with a car full of tools to kidnap his ex-girlfriend from 20 years ago was sentenced this week to nearly 11 years in prison, federal officials announced Tuesday.

Damon Burke, 49, of Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 128 months in prison after he admitted in a plea agreement that he attempted to kidnap his ex-girlfriend, with whom he had no recent contact, according to U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison. The attempted abduction happened in March.

According to authorities, Burke had previously stalked the victim and restrained her in a vehicle without her consent after their relationship ended. That incident led to charges of criminal possession of a firearm. Burke was convicted in New York in 2002.

In March 2021, Burke drove from Massachusetts to Michigan to abduct the victim, authorities said. In his car, Burke had a stun gun and a variety of kidnapping tools, including zip ties, handcuffs, smoke grenades, and other items. He also had a note to the victim, authorities said.

When Burke arrived in Michigan, he assaulted the victim's roommate and tried to steal a key to their home. Police later stopped Burke near the victim's home, authorities said.

"Mr. Burke terrorized his victims both physically and emotionally, and while that harm cannot be undone, today’s sentence is a first step towards getting justice," James Tarasca, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office, said in a release.

Burke has also pleaded guilty to armed robbery and was sentenced to serve 12 to 25 years in prison for robbing and assaulting the victim’s roommate, authorities said.