14 DAY TRIAL // Forward Devonta Pollard for the University of Alabama has been indicted in the Kemper County, Mississippi kidnapping of a six-year-old girl in order to further an extortion.
Police believe that the player's mother, Jesse Mae Pollard, put the scam together. 18-year-old Pollard had knowledge of the plan, and supplied a screwdriver and a wrench as the kidnapping was being planned.
Police also allege that he drove the child after she was taken by one of his mother's accomplices. He drove the woman with the abducted child and her own baby.
According to Bleacher Report, five other people were indicted apart from the player and his mother. A separate arraignment is underway for Jesse Mae Pollard. As the mastermind of the kidnapping, she could be going to jail for life.
Wanda Dancy, Shamarius Ruffin, Shaquayla Johnigan, Joyce Johnigan, and James Johnigan were all arraigned at the Jackson, MS federal courthouse.
Jesse Mae Pollard wanted to use the girl as leverage in a property transaction. She is a member of her family, the daughter of a cousin of hers.
Jashayla Hopson was taken on April 30 and later reappeared after having been left at a house in the city. Her mother was first contacted via text message.
“Dont call the police I will call you later if you call the police u wont see [Jashayla] again," the text reads.
Police traced the phone to a Walmart store in Bessemer and spotted Pollard buying it. They have also come across a hotel key for a room used in the abduction and the receipt for said phone by searching Devonta Pollard's car.
The player is out on $10,000 (€7,600) bond, but he is set to return to court for his August 6 trial.