SPOKANE, Wash. — Aaron Aung, of Pullman, was arraigned in federal court for kidnapping charges on August 2.
The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, Vanessa Waldref, says Aung was charged by criminal complaint with one count of international parental kidnapping.
According to the complaint, Aung was supposed to travel with his two-year-old daughter to the Pullman Police Department for a custody exchange with the child’s mother on June 3, 2024. Aung never arrived at the police station.
After an investigation was launched, agents with the FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) obtained photos of Aung’s vehicle crossing into Mexico on June 1 from the Andrade, California crossing.
Waldref says it's an unusual case in her district, but one she wanted to pursue at the federal level.
"This one is one we care very deeply about," Waldref said. "When we found out about a minor child being kidnapped, we want to make sure we're doing all we can to keep that child safe."
The Attorney’s office says that Mexican officials contacted Aung and his fiancé, Nadia Cole, on July 4 while they were in Mexico. Cole was deported, but Aung and his daughter remained in Mexico for three more days.
"There also are very concerning allegations about how the defendant worked with his fiancé and family to be involved in removing the child from the United States," Waldref said.
So far, no one else has been charged in this case.
On July 7 Aung and his child were approached by Mexican officials near the United States-Mexico border in Nogales, Mexico. Both were taken to CBP officials and then taken into custody under a felony warrant issued out of Whitman County.
"I think these types of cases are where the federal government can bring its resources most effectively to ensure kids are being care for by parents who love them," Waldref said. "And that they are part of a family unit, extended community unit who are really watching out for them."
Waldref says a grand jury will "soon" hear the case and may return an indictment. If convicted, Aung faces up to three years in prison.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca Perez and Michael J. Ellis.
Aung is expected to be back in court August 8 for a detention hearing.