HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas spoke out Thursday morning about the sentencing of a Memphis woman for her involvement in the kidnapping of a Hot Springs teenager last spring, calling it a “horrific crime.”
Fowlkes emphasized the gravity of the case, stating that it was a horrific crime committed against a vulnerable member of the community, highlighting the importance of the Department of Justice in protecting the rights of the most vulnerable members of society.
The sentencing came after Samuel Wayne Bolling Jr., 40, was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and his accomplice, Dayla Diane Ferrer, 21, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in the incident.
According to court documents, Bolling and Ferrer conspired to kidnap a minor female in an attempt to extort money from her relatives. The victim was approached in downtown Hot Springs, attacked, and restrained before contact was made with her family. The kidnappers demanded $10,000 in exchange for her safe return, holding her overnight before releasing her the next day.
Fowlkes described the case as every parent’s worst nightmare, emphasizing the terrifying nature of the abduction and urging for justice to be served. The sentencing serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rights and safety of all members of the community.
In conclusion, the sentencing of the perpetrators in the kidnapping of a Hot Springs teenager has brought justice to a terrifying crime that shook the community. The severity of the sentences reflects the heinous nature of the crime, sending a strong message about the repercussions of such criminal actions.