U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
Five Plead Guilty To Their Involvement In Kidnapping Case
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Mississippi
Jackson, Miss. – Five defendants entered guilty pleas before U.S. District Judge William H. Barbour Jr. in federal court today for their involvement in the kidnapping of Jashayla Hopson from East Kemper Elementary School on April 30, 2013, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel McMullen.
Wanda Faye Dancy, of DeKalb, Mississippi, Shamarius S. Ruffin, of Porterville, Mississippi, and Shaquayla S. Johnigan, also of Porterville, each pled guilty to conspiracy to kidnap. They each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Joyce M. Johnigan and James Shurman Johnigan both of Porterville, Mississippi, pled guilty to a criminal information charging them with misprision of a felony. They each face a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
All five defendants are scheduled for sentencing by U.S. District Judge William H. Barbour Jr. on January 22, 2013 at 9:00 a.m.
The two remaining defendants in this case, Jesse Pollard and Devonta Pollard, are scheduled for trial on November 18, 2013. Jesse Pollard is charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap and obstruction of justice. She faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $750,000 fine. Devonta Pollard is charged with conspiracy to kidnap and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Criminal Division Chief John M. Dowdy, Jr.
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Updated January 7, 2015
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