On Wednesday, in Decatur, siblings Ademeko Maclin-Carney and Ausarian Carney were sentenced to federal prison for the kidnapping of a local businessman that took place three years prior. Maclin-Carney, aged 26, received a heavy thirty-year sentence while Carney, aged 23, is to serve twenty-four years for their roles in the abduction. The event, occurring on March 24, 2022, involved luring the businessman to an abandoned house purportedly seeking a flooring estimate, then attacking and trying to quickly extract ransom, according to information from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The trial, which spanned five days from October 7 to 11 in 2024, presented evidence that the siblings moved the victim to various locations and demanded $400,000 for his release. Despite his wife being instructed not to contact the police, she alerted the authorities, initiating an immediate investigation. The siblings attempted to evade capture by disposing of the victim in the back of an abandoned van, leaving him bound and helpless. U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn, during sentencing, pointed out that the victim and his family are likely to suffer from psychological trauma for years to come, as neither defendant expressed remorse for their actions.
Given their lack of remorse, capturing these criminals was a high priority for law enforcement. The Decatur Police Department, leading the investigation, discovered critical evidence, including the kidnappers’ fingerprints and a notebook detailing the crime. Acting U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Gilmore praised the investigators in a statement, saying, “The defendants’ violent kidnapping of the victim in this case shows their avarice for ill-gotten gains at any cost, including the terror they inflicted on the victim and his family.” The joint investigative efforts of local police, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshal’s Service were crucial in securing the convictions.
Forensic evidence, including fingerprints and DNA, alongside business video footage, trace fiber evidence, and cellular location data all played into demonstrating the siblings' guilt. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan D. Freres, who was moved by the victims' courage during the ordeal, stated, "Throughout, I was deeply moved by their strength and faith. I am also deeply appreciative for all the hard work of law enforcement in investigating this case."
Decatur Police Chief Shane Brandel acknowledged the dedication and collaboration between agencies in a statement, emphasizing the tireless work of investigators in this complex case.
