Jury Convicts Liberty County Man in Kidnapping Trial

BEAUMONT, Texas – A 29-year-old Dayton, Texas man has been convicted of two counts of kidnapping in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today. 

Wayne Ross Maitland was found guilty by a jury of two counts of kidnapping today following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone. 

According to information presented in court, on Oct. 31, 2014, Maitland contacted his recently estranged wife to set up a meeting with her to discuss issues related to their potential divorce, including taking her to a bank to remove her name from their joint account.  His estranged wife and her 11-month-old son, Maitland’s stepson, got in the car with Maitland and went to the bank.  On the way back from the bank, Maitland drove to a county road, pulled over to the roadside, wrapped his estranged wife’s hands in duct tape and would not allow her to exit the vehicle.  Maitland told her that he intended to commit suicide and force her to watch.  She attempted to exit the moving vehicle, but the defendant grabbed her by the hair, choked her and punched her in the head several times.  During the struggle, Maitland pulled a large segment of hair from her scalp and caused bruises to her head and face.  Eventually she was able to jump from the vehicle while it was traveling approximately 40 miles per hour, which caused her to sustain further injuries, including “road rash” on her arms, back, and feet.  Maitland then stopped the vehicle, got out and told his estranged wife, “I’ve got your son now” and then drove off.  Maitland drove around for approximately eight hours before dropping the child off at a hospital in New Iberia, Louisiana.   On Nov. 11, 2014 deputies with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office received a tip regarding Maitland’s whereabouts.  Acting on that tip, deputies executed an arrest warrant on a home in rural Liberty County, where Maitland was found hiding in an air conditioning duct.  Maitland was charged by a federal grand jury on Dec. 3, 2014.  

Maitland faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in federal prison at sentencing.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing date has not been set.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Texas Rangers, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and the Dayton Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher T. Tortorice and Lesley Bartow.