A federal jury in Asheville has found Stephanie Miranda Neace, 32, guilty of kidnapping and robbery involving an elderly victim. The incident, occurring in 2023, was highlighted by U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson for the Western District of North Carolina. Co-defendant Jordan Nathaniel Hedden, 31, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and faces sentencing on April 14.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, joined U.S. Attorney Ferguson in announcing the verdict. "This was a frightening crime against an elderly victim who was just trying to help out of the kindness of her heart," stated Ferguson. "People who commit crimes like this affect how we treat one another, and we are committed to bringing them to justice."
The court documents revealed that on November 30, 2023, a 71-year-old woman offered Neace and Hedden a ride from Georgia to North Carolina. Shortly after entering North Carolina, Hedden commandeered the car and forced the victim into the back seat. Trial evidence showed Hedden was agitated and searched the car and the victim for tracking devices, later disabling her phone and demanding money.
Attempting to secure her release, the victim persuaded Hedden to let her withdraw money from a gas station ATM. She managed to escape at the gas station by running to and alerting people inside, while Hedden and Neace fled on foot only to be apprehended later.
Neace's kidnapping conviction could result in a maximum life sentence. Hedden had entered a guilty plea in November 2024. Both remain in custody as they await sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson expressed gratitude to the FBI for their involvement, while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Don Gast and Alexis Solheim are handling the prosecution.
