A Clay County man has been arraigned in federal court on charges including carjacking and attempted kidnapping, according to a July 15 announcement from U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr.
A five-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Stevie Earl Harris with attempted kidnapping, carjacking, using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, transporting explosive materials as a non-licensee, and transporting explosive materials with intent to injure. The incident occurred on September 5, 2024, in Clay County, Alabama.
“As alleged in the indictment, the defendant is accused of crimes that threatened the safety of an innocent victim and others nearby,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy M. Peoples. “We appreciate the outstanding work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners whose coordinated efforts made this prosecution possible.”
“ATF’s number one priority is to combat violent crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James VanVliet. “We will continue to work in lockstep with our law enforcement partners to bring justice to individuals that harm our communities.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case along with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Lineville Police Department, and Ashland Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Darius C. Greene and Kristy Peoples are prosecuting the case.
The Northern District of Alabama serves more than 2.8 million people across 31 counties—including Birmingham and Huntsville—and is part of the U.S. Department of Justice; it prosecutes federal crimes such as those charged here while also defending civil cases for the United States government and recovering funds lost to fraud through public engagement initiatives, according to the official website.
An indictment contains only charges; a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.