Mojonnier’s Son Charged in Abduction

Craig Randal Mojonnier, son of Assemblywoman Sunny Mojonnier (R-Encinitas), was charged Monday with one felony count of false imprisonment stemming from the alleged abduction of a 15-year-old Cardiff boy.

Mojonnier, 22, of Encinitas will be arraigned today in North County Municipal Court at Vista. He has been free on $15,000 bond.

Authorities reported that two men abducted Erick Huff from his home in Cardiff June 22 and demanded $100,000 in ransom from Erick’s parents. Erick was held in Los Angeles for four days. He was released unharmed June 26, when Craig Mojonnier was arrested at his home in Encinitas.

The boy was allegedly held at a Ramada Inn in the Los Angeles area.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department originally reported that the alleged abductors wanted to recoup $100,000 that reportedly had been taken from them as the result of “drug activity.” But no drug charges have been filed, and Detective Dave Nunn, who handled the case, said there is no investigation into drug activity.

Erick’s father, Howard Huff, said he does not know why drug activity was alleged. “It was just thrown in there,” he said. “It was somebody’s imagination. There’s a lot of guesswork.”

Authorities have been searching for Gary Chavez, 32, who is suspected of being an accomplice in the alleged abduction. Chavez is believed to be in the Los Angeles area. Nunn said he signed a warrant Monday for Chavez’s arrest on false imprisonment charges.

Huff said Erick has been “emotionally disturbed” since his abduction. “It’s like a dream,” Huff said. “He’s afraid of what will happen next.”

False imprisonment is punishable by a maximum of three years in prison.