Two plead out in kidnapping

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 12, 2001

NATCHEZ – Less than three months after four men allegedly kidnapped a Natchez woman, two of the suspects entered guilty pleas in federal court.

Lionell Kenji Martin, 29, of Jackson and Barry Wallace, 24, of Vicksburg, pleaded guilty Wednesday to the lesser charge of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, Assistant U.S. Attorney Woody Bond said.

Both are scheduled for a Feb. 18 sentencing where they face 10 years in prison and a $250,000 bond, Bond said.

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And with the plea agreement, they will also cooperate with further prosecution of the case, Bond said.

A third suspect, Channing Burden, 22, of Vicksburg, was ordered detained without bond this week, pending action of a federal grand jury.

A fourth suspect, Louis Buck, 23, of Vicksburg, was being held in state custody in Lafayette, La., Wednesday, Bond said. But Bond said he is attempting to have Buck transported back to face a kidnapping charge.