Pontotoc Man Sentenced on Federal Kidnapping Charges

Aberdeen, MS - A Pontotoc man was sentenced today to over 14 years in prison on federal kidnapping charges when he forcibly took his victim from Alabama to Mississippi and then to Tennessee where she escaped.

According to court documents, Luis Carlos Noyola, 50, previously pled guilty to the charges in the indictment which show on or about April 19, 2025, Noyola did unlawfully "seize, confine, abduct, carry away and hold" a female victim. After kidnapping the victim in Cherokee, Alabama, he forced her to travel against her will to Corinth, Mississippi, located in the Northern District of Mississippi. Additionally, Noyola forced her to travel from North Mississippi into McNairy County, Tennessee. After the victim escaped in Tennessee, Noyola fled back to Corinth, where he was arrested.

During the course of the kidnapping, Noyola struck the victim multiple times, causing her bodily injury. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Glen H. Davidson sentenced Noyola today to 175 months imprisonment. Upon release from prison, Noyola will be placed on supervision for a period of five years. Noyola was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals following sentencing.

"We live in a wonderful place but understand, it is still a dangerous world," expressed U.S. Attorney Scott Leary. "In this case, a man kidnapped an older lady and took her across state lines. State and local law enforcement responded immediately, and the subject was ultimately arrested in Corinth, Mississippi. In such situations an aggressive response by law enforcement is not only required, it is laudable. Excellent work by the Corinth Police Department; the Cherokee, Alabama, Police Department; the Colbert County, Alabama, Sheriff's Office; and the McNairy County, Tennessee, Sheriff's Office; and the FBI. Stay safe!"

Landon Tucker, Chief of Police for the Corinth Police Department stated, "The Corinth Police Department would like to thank the FBI, the Cherokee (Alabama) Police Department, the Colbert County (Alabama) Sheriff's Office, and the McNairy County (Tennessee) Sheriff's Office. This successful outcome was made possible by the coordinated efforts of all involved agencies."

"Noyola's victim endured profound trauma that will have lasting effects for the remainder of her life," said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff. "Kidnapping reflects a blatant disregard for human life, personal safety and the rule of law. The FBI, in coordination with its law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in its commitment to aggressively pursuing violent offenders and upholding justice within our communities."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Corinth Police Department, Cherokee, Alabama, Police Department, Colbert County, Alabama, Sheriff's Office, and McNairy County, Tennessee, Sheriff's Office.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Mims.