Oklahoma Woman Pleads Guilty to Murder Committed in the Talladega National Forest

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – An Oklahoma woman pleaded guilty to crimes committed in the Talladega National Forest, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton Peeples.

Yasmine Marie Hider, 21 of Edmond, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court R. David Proctor to murder, kidnapping, and robbery. Hider is scheduled to be sentenced on January 4, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.  

According to the plea agreement, on August 14, 2022, college students from Florida, were driving to Cheaha State Park, in Clay County, Alabama, to hike to see the waterfalls. The couple was flagged down by Hider to help “jump start” Pinkins’ car which was broken down. Hider robbed the male and female and shot the male as he attempted to defend himself and his girlfriend. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers found Hider seated several feet away with four gunshot wounds.

The maximum penalty for murder and kidnapping is life in prison. The maximum penalty for robbery is 15 years in prison.

Krystal Diane Pinkins was convicted last week in federal court. Pinkins is scheduled to be sentenced on January 4, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.

The FBI and the Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigations - U.S. Department of Agriculture investigated the cases, along with assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alabama State Park Rangers, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, St. Clair Correctional Facility K9 Tracking Team, District Attorney of the 40^th Judicial Circuit of the State of Alabama- Joseph “Joe” D. Ficquette (which includes Clay County), Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office, Lineville Police Department, Ashland Police Department, Clay County Rescue Squad, Shinbone Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Tri-County Children’s Advocacy Center, and Jacksonville State University Center for Applied Forensics.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Cross and John B. Felton are prosecuting the case.