Two Men Indicted for Kidnapping, Carjacking Conspiracy

JACKSON, MS—Ricky L. Wedgeworth, 36, of Memphis, Tennessee, and Darian “Drake” Pierce, 34, of Bogalusa, Louisiana, have been indicted by a federal grand jury, U.S. Attorney John Dowdy and Daniel McMullen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced today. The two men are charged with kidnapping, carjacking, interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, carjacking, and the interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle. If convicted, they could each be eligible for the death penalty.

According to the indictment, on or about March 7, 2011, Wedgeworth and Pierce went to the Fairfield Inn in Vicksburg, Mississippi, for the purpose of stealing a motor vehicle. The two physically assaulted and forcibly detained the victim, David Cupps, and placed him in a red 2011 Buick Enclave. After Wedgeworth and Pierce carjacked and kidnapped the victim, they brought about the death of the victim and drove the victim in the red 2011 Buick Enclave from Warren County, Mississippi to Jefferson County, Alabama.

The charges are the result of a joint investigation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, Vicksburg Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Bessemer Police Department, and other state and local law enforcement agencies.

Dowdy noted that, as in any criminal case, a person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The charges filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.