3 suspects convicted for 2021 kidnapping, murder of Richland County 15-year-old

Posted 5/25/23

A West Columbia woman was convicted of kidnapping, shooting and killing a 15-year-old after her two co-defendants pleaded guilty.

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3 suspects convicted for 2021 kidnapping, murder of Richland County 15-year-old

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A West Columbia woman was convicted of kidnapping, shooting and killing a 15-year-old after her two co-defendants pleaded guilty.

Nicolle Sanchez-Peralta, 18, was found guilty for the 2021 abduction and killing of Sanaa Amenhotep on charges of murder and kidnapping in the jury trial that went from May 15 to 24 in Lexington County.

Two co-defendants — Trevon Nelson, 20, and Jaylen Wilson, 19 — pleaded guilty to charges of murder, kidnapping, criminal conspiracy and possession of a weapon during the commision of a violent crime instead of going forward with a trial.

“The State has made no plea offers or plea negotiations in this case,” a release from the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office Notes.

Sentencing for the three defendants is scheduled for June 30.

“Sanaa Amenhotep vanished from her Richland County Apartment Complex on the night of April 5, 2021,” the release states. “The investigation later determined that she had been abducted by Sanchez-Peralta, Nelson, and Wilson and driven to a secluded, wooded location in the Leesville area of Lexington County. 

“Testimony presented during the trial established that Amenhotep was beaten and sustained at least 14 gunshot wounds. The defendants buried her body in a shallow grave, later located by law enforcement on April 28, 2021 following an extensive search. Multiple law enforcement agencies and members of the community combined efforts to locate Sanaa Amenhotep during the time in which she was reported missing. “

11th Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard and Deputy Solicitor Suzanne Mayes prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in what the release notes is an ongoing murder investigation.

lexington county crime, west columbia arrest, columbia murder, richland county sheriff's department, 11th circuit solicitor

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