Montgomery County man convicted of 2016 kidnapping, robbery

A Montgomery County man has been convicted in the case of a Montgomery woman who was beaten, robbed, kidnapped and nearly set on fire on Sept. 6, 2016.

Kerstin Reese was convicted Thursday of attempted murder, robbery first degree, kidnapping first degree and criminal mischief first degree.

Reese faced the same charges as the other two suspects arrested in connection to the case, Xavier McDowell and Tavares Miles.

Late on the night of Sept. 6, 2016, the woman was robbed at gunpoint at her Montgomery home, beaten, locked in the trunk of her car and kidnapped. About nine hours later, the car was left in the woods off U.S. 31 in south Montgomery County with her still in the trunk.

After abandoning the car with the woman still in the trunk, the suspects reportedly returned and set the car on fire. By that time, however, the woman had escaped the trunk and made it to Mosley’s Store in Hope Hull, about a quarter-mile from the car and about 20 miles from her Montgomery home, where she was able to receive help from the store owner.

“The senseless and horrendous ordeal this violent criminal put this victim through is absolutely heartless, and he deserves the harshest possible penalty," said Montgomery County District Attorney Darryl Bailey. "I am proud that my office was successful in convicting this monster, and we will be seeking a life sentence to ensure that he is never released back on the streets of our city.”  

Reese will be sentenced by Montgomery County Circuit Judge James Anderson on July 9, facing 99 years or life in prison because he has two prior felony convictions for burglary and theft. McDowell and Miles remain charged and are awaiting trial.