6th arrest made in Florida kidnapping case

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) -  

Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested a sixth person they say is connected with a January 27 kidnapping of a 23-year-old Niceville woman.

Authorities say Thomas Samuel Bright, 30, is now charged with one count of kidnapping to inflict bodily harm or terrorize.

Others allegedly involved in this kidnapping are Brittany Plitt, Heather Sutton, Bertina Krider and Shannon Yeary as well as Chase Stewart.

Investigators say the victim, Bethany Stanley, says she was bound and driven around Okaloosa County.

During that time, she was allegedly beaten, burned with cigarettes, choked and had water poured over her face while a rag was in her mouth.

“This victim was terrorized and tortured. She says she was water boarded and burnt with cigarettes. She also had bruises from being beat and choked,” said Michele Nicholson with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Stanley said she was told she'd be killed and dumped on the side of the highway.

Stanley also said during the kidnapping, she had been taken to a home in north Okaloosa County where a man saw her by face and terrorized her. Investigators say Bright was identified as that suspect and allegedly threatened Stanley with a saw.

Bright's live-in girlfriend said the suspects brought in a white female who was bound and had a pillowcase over her head and she left.

Bright has been charged with kidnapping based on the fact that he knew the victim was being held against her will and was being tortured during this time, and he allowed them to keep her at the home.

Deputies said they tracked down Plitt's truck and rescued Stanley on January 28 from Stewart's home on Calhoun Drive in Destin.

“Luckily deputies were able to identify the truck at a home in Destin and rescue her, possibly saving her life,” Nicholson said.

Deputies said that home belonged to 28 year old Chase Stewart who was also arrested.

Stanley was taken to a hospital with serious but non life threatening injuries…

Plitt, Sutton, Krider and Yeary are charged with kidnapping, aggravated battery and robbery.

Bright was charged with kidnapping and inflicting bodily harm.
Stewart was charged with principle to kidnapping.