U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

FBI JACKSON, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Contact: Deborah Madden FBI
(601) 948-5000

Press Release
For Immediate Release
July 3, 2008

KIDNAP, MURDER PLOT UNCOVERED

Frederick T. Brink, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Mississippi, announced as follows:

FBI Agents with the Jackson and Birmingham Field Offices, together with the West Point, and Columbus, Mississippi and Tuscaloosa, Alabama Police Departments, have arrested four subjects believed to be involved in a conspiracy to kidnap a bank officer in West Point, Mississippi; rob a bank; and commit murder while traveling from Alabama to Mississippi in aid of this racketeering enterprise.

ZAKIYA SITI O'NEAL, a 30-year old female, whose last known residence is West Point, MS; and Alabama residents CIERRA NATIONS, age 22; VINCENT FARLEY, age 21; and JOSE BROWN, age 31, were arrested by FBI agents in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Wednesday, July 2, 2008, and will be transported to Aberdeen, Mississippi to appear before a United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi this morning.

The FBI wishes to recognize all of the officers and agents of the law enforcement agencies, to include the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi, involved in this investigation. "The law enforcement community, in more and more situations, recognizes the great benefits that are derived from combining resources and working cooperatively," stated Frederick T. Brink, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi.

Mr. Brink stressed that a warrant for arrest contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial, at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.