2 women âliving off the gridâ sentenced to prison in fatal Talladega forest robbery of Florida students
Two women who carried out the fatal robbery of two Florida college students that ended in the shooting death of one victims in the Talladega National Forest have been sentenced to federal prison.
U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor sentenced Yasmine Marie Hider, 21, of Edmond, Oklahoma, to 35 years in prison and Krystal Diane Pinkins, 37, of Memphis, Tennessee to life in prison.
Pinkins in September 2023 was convicted of murder, robbery, and unlawful use of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Hider pleaded guilty to murder, kidnapping, and robbery in October 2023. As part of her plea agreement, Hider testified against Pinkins at trial.
“My sincere hope is that these convictions and sentences bring justice to the victims and the victims’ families, reassuring them that these defendants have been held accountable for their actions,” said Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona.
The women were charged in connection to the slaying of 22-year-old Adam Simjee. He and his girlfriend, Mikayla Paulus, were robbed at gunpoint while they were hiking in Cheaha State Park on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022.
Hider and Pinkins, previously described as “living off the grid,” are also facing murder charges in Clay County. Trial dates have not been announced in the state cases.
Paulus previously spoke with AL.com about what happened that morning.
The couple was flagged down by Hider to help “jump start” Pinkins’ car which was broken down.
Hider robbed the couple and shot the Simjee as he attempted to defend himself and his girlfriend.
Evidence proved Pinkins aided in the crimes by providing the firearm, planning the robbery, and watching nearby in the woods as the robbery and murder took place.
After the shooting, Pinkins fled into the woods and was found six hours later hidden in a secluded campsite.