A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted two people previously charged on the state level in the death of Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney.
The tragic disappearance of McKinney, 3, captured the hearts of many across Alabama and the nation last fall. After being missing for more than a week, the Birmingham girl’s remains were located in a trash bin that had been taken to a landfill.
Patrick Devone Stallworth, 40, and his girlfriend Derick Irisha Brown (also known as Quentesa Jackson), 29, were both charged on the state level with murder upon the discovery of McKinney’s remains.
Stallworth and Brown on Wednesday were each indicted for one count of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to kidnap a minor victim, announced Interim U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.
“This case is an excellent example of the seamless cooperation and coordination by federal agencies and our state and local partners,” Escalona said in a statement. “Federal law enforcement stands ready to assist whenever our help is needed.”
If proven that McKinney’s death resulted from the charges alleged in the federal indictments, Stallworth and Brown would face a minimum sentence of life in prison, with a death sentence also on the table for each. At this time, the defendants have only been charged and remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“The kidnapping of a child is one of a parent’s biggest fears,” First Assistant United States Attorney Lloyd C. Peeples added. “Despite their best efforts, federal, state, and local law enforcement were not able to bring the 3-year old victim home to her family. However, we hope that today’s charges will be a step towards bringing justice for her and her family.”
Peeples and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robin Mark and Blake Milner are prosecuting the cases.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
