Six individuals are facing federal criminal charges related to the Amber Alert issued Monday morning.
Early Tuesday morning, the Amber Alert for the abduction of Indianapolis teens Aaron and Emma Blackwell was called off once they had both been found alive.
Now, John Thomas (“Jay”), Bernando Reeves (“C-note”), Ali Hussain Ashore, Mohammed Karkash (“Moe” or “MJ”), April Sandell and Alaa Al-Salehi (“Alex” or “Big Boi”) have been charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Statutory penalties upon conviction for this crime include a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.
According to a probable cause affidavit from the U.S. District Court’s Southern District of Indiana, John Thomas (“Jay”) claims the teens’ sister Whitney stole $120,000, a kilogram of cocaine and 4,000 OxyContin pills from him.
Ransom calls were made to Stanley Blackwell, the teens’ brother.
Aaron Blackwell, 16, was blindfolded, with his hands zip-tied by the kidnappers. They also cut his finger during questioning. His wrists were bruised and his finger had to be stitched.
This story will be updated.
Ike Hajinazarian
