Three Pembroke men have pleaded not guilty to federal charges in association with the kidnappings of two Bryan County residents.

On Thursday, Antonio Lamont Murray, 38, Cecil Dewit Nelson, 32, and Gary Lenion McDonald, 35, entered their pleas before the U.S. Magistrate Court.

According to a sealed indictment filed Feb. 10, the trio is charged with the conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping of two individuals identified as “T.M.” and “W.D.” and holding them for ransom.

The indictment states that on or about Dec. 1, 2011, the men forcibly entered the Richmond Hill home of T.M. and abducted him at gunpoint, only to release him after a ransom of $19,000 was paid.

The document goes on to state that on or about Jan. 12, the men forcibly entered the home of Pembroke resident W.D. and abducted him at gunpoint, only to release him after ordering his wife to pay $250,000 in ransom.

Read more in the March 7 edition of the News.