By Tiffany Williams –
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Federal prosecutors say a horrifying interstate kidnapping conspiracy that stretched across New Hampshire and Vermont ended with a woman allegedly held captive for nearly 24 hours, beaten, tortured and bound with duct tape inside a Springfield residence before police stormed in and rescued her.
Now, a federal grand jury has indicted three people in connection with the violent case that investigators say quickly escalated into a nightmare of brutality, threats and ransom-style demands for money.
U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announced that Damarcus Bonner, 30, Tyron Harris, 27, and Nicole Palardy, 37, of Claremont, New Hampshire, are now facing federal charges tied to the alleged kidnapping conspiracy.
According to federal authorities, Bonner and Harris are each charged with kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Palardy is charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Investigators allege the defendants kidnapped an adult victim in Claremont, New Hampshire, then transported her across state lines to a residence in Springfield, Vermont, where prosecutors say she was held against her will.
Federal authorities allege the victim endured hours of torture and violent abuse while captors demanded money from both the victim and other individuals connected to her.
Then came the break in the case.
According to investigators, Springfield Police learned about the kidnapping during the early morning hours of January 25, 2026, and rushed to the residence where the victim was allegedly being held.
Police say they rescued the victim from inside the home and arrested the defendants at the scene.
What investigators say they found inside paints an even darker picture.
Authorities say a search of the residence uncovered a firearm, drugs packaged for distribution, duct tape allegedly used to bind the victim and multiple items investigators say were used for torture.
The three defendants had already been facing charges in Vermont state court and had remained in state custody since January. Harris and Bonner are now being held in federal custody following earlier federal complaints tied to the case.
Federal prosecutors say the charges carry potential penalties of up to life in prison if convicted.
The FBI is leading the investigation with assistance from Vermont State Police, Springfield Police and the Claremont Police Department.
As the federal prosecution moves forward, prosecutors emphasized that the allegations outlined in the indictment remain accusations and that all three defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.