2 women sentenced for murder committed in Talladega National Forest

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Two women were sentenced Thursday, Jan. 4, for crimes committed in the Talladega National Forest, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton Peeples.

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.  Hider accepted responsibility and pled guilty to murder, kidnapping and robbery in October 2023.  Pursuant to a plea agreement, Hider cooperated in the prosecution and testified against Pinkins at trial. Pinkins was convicted of murder, robbery and unlawful use of a firearm during a crime of violence in September 2023. 

“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,” Escalona said. “I want to thank our local, state and federal partners for their tireless efforts in this investigation.”

According to court documents, on Aug. 14, 2022, college students from Florida – Adam Simjee, 22, and his girlfriend, Mikayla Paulus, 20 – were driving to Cheaha State Park, in Clay County, Alabama, to hike to the waterfalls. The couple was flagged down by Hider to help “jump start” Pinkins’ car, which was broken down. Hider robbed the young male and female and shot the male as he attempted to defend himself and his girlfriend. Officers found Hider with four gunshot wounds several feet away from where the murder occurred. Pinkins provided the firearm and assisted in the planning of the robbery. She watched from the woods as the robbery and murder took place. Pinkins was found six hours later at a secluded campsite.

The FBI and the Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigations – U.S. Department of Agriculture investigated the cases, with assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alabama State Park Rangers, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, St. Clair Correctional Facility K9 Tracking Team, District Attorney of the 40^th Judicial Circuit of the State of Alabama- Joseph “Joe” D. Ficquette (which includes Clay County), Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office, Lineville Police Department, Ashland Police Department, Clay County Rescue Squad, Shinbone Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Tri-County Children’s Advocacy Center and Jacksonville State University Center for Applied Forensics.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Cross and John B. Felton are prosecuting the case.