Kidnappers of 7-Month-Old Indicted in Federal Court

Amber Alert Results in Federal Carjacking and Kidnapping charges

KNOXVILLE, TN—A federal grand jury in Knoxville returned a two-count indictment on July 20, 2010, against David Jackson, 35, of Miami, Florida, Ashlea Melynda Laughlin, 21, of Greeneville, Tennessee, and Brooke Lashae Collins Stumbo, 21, of Afton, Tennessee. Jackson, Laughlin, and Stumbo were arrested in Miami, Florida, on July 13, 2010, after removing a 7-month-old from the custody of his mother and taking her car from Greeneville, Tennessee. All three defendants have remained in federal custody since their arrests.

The indictment alleges that on July 11, 2010, Jackson took the car of Anne Boyd with the intent to cause her serious bodily injury or death, and Laughlin and Stumbo took the 7-month-old from his mother, Anne Boyd.

If convicted, Jackson faces a term of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years on supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. If convicted, Laughlin and Stumbo face a term of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, a minimum of five years and a maximum of life on supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Gregg L. Sullivan, Acting United States Attorney, attributed the safe return of the baby and the prompt charges to the quick response of local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the public who participated in the nationwide Amber Alert.

This indictment is the result of an investigation by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Miami Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen Smith will represent the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.