Jordan Nathaniel Hedden has been sentenced to over ten years in prison for the kidnapping of a 71-year-old female victim in 2023, according to an announcement by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Hedden, aged 32, will also face five years of supervised release following the 121-month sentence. His co-conspirator, Stephanie Miranda Neace, also 32, from Blairsville, Georgia, awaits sentencing after being convicted of kidnapping by a federal jury.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, joined U.S. Attorney Ferguson in announcing the sentencing.
Court documents reveal that on November 30, 2023, the victim was traveling from Georgia to North Carolina when she offered a ride to Hedden and Neace due to the cold weather. Upon entering North Carolina, Hedden directed the victim to drive to a supposed car location. When no car was found, he ordered her to stop and move to the backseat, taking control of the vehicle himself.
The records state that Hedden, appearing high and agitated, searched for tracking devices on the victim and her car, taking her phone and disabling it. Despite only having $2, the victim convinced Hedden to let her use an ATM, promising not to identify the defendants to law enforcement.
Arriving at a gas station, the victim seized an opportunity to run towards assistance, causing Hedden to attempt a getaway with the car, which failed as he did not have the key fob. Hedden and Neace then fled on foot, only to be caught by authorities days later.
On November 13, 2024, Hedden pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping and aiding and abetting. He remains in federal custody, awaiting transfer to a designated Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson praised the FBI for their role in investigating the case, handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Don Gast and Alexis Solheim from the Asheville office.