Tuscaloosa Man Charged with Christmas Eve Kidnapping

July 16, 2026 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Tuscaloosa man charged with kidnapping has been arraigned in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr.

A one-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Randall Latroy Richardson, 42, with kidnapping. The alleged incident occurred in the early morning hours of December 24, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. By sunrise, Richardson was apprehended and arrested.

"The people of Tuscaloosa County and the Northern District of Alabama should be proud of their local law enforcement officers quickly apprehending the defendant following this incident," said U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. "We now look forward to prosecuting the defendant federally for kidnapping as alleged in the indictment."

"Thanks to the swift, collaborative efforts of our agents and our law enforcement partners, we were able to remove this dangerous fugitive from our community," said David R. Fitzgibbons, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Birmingham. "We will continue working together to keep our communities safe and to strengthen the trust with Alabamians."

"We're grateful this case is being prosecuted federally," said Tuscaloosa Police Chief Michael Baygents. "Our officers, the Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office each played an important role in bringing it to this point, and we'll continue working together as the case moves through the federal court system."

The maximum penalty for kidnapping is life imprisonment.

The FBI investigated the cases along with the Tuscaloosa Police Department and the Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan S. Cross and Brittany T. Byrd are prosecuting the case.

An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.