Jamie Waterman pleads guilty to accessory in deadly kidnapping case

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KNWA/KFTA) — A Missouri man charged in federal court with aiding his wife in the kidnapping and murder of a pregnant Arkansas woman has changed his plea to guilty.

Jamie Waterman, 44, was charged with one count of being an accessory of kidnapping resulting in death. He initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea during a Tuesday hearing.

An indictment said in October 2022, Jamie Waterman helped his wife Amber Waterman after she kidnapped Ashley Bush, knowing his wife had committed a crime.

Jamie’s plea change comes hours after Amber Waterman was sentenced to two life in prison sentences without the possibility of parole for her role in the kidnapping and subsequent murder.

His sentencing will be at a date that will be announced later. The attorney general said they will need 60 to 90 days to complete their investigation before sentencing.

A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri says under federal statutes, Jamie is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

For a timeline of the case, click here .

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