The Texas man accused of kidnapping two Vicksburg teenagers has been found guilty in federal court of kidnapping and carjacking and faces sentencing in April.

Ronald Wayne Shugart, 39, of Coolidge, was found guilty of kidnapping in a jury trial that ended Thursday, Southern District U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton said.

Shugart and Annette Myrtis Pierce Thiem, 42, of Florence, S.C., were each accused of carjacking and kidnapping in the May 1 abduction of Shane Gilmore, 17, and Heather Pritchard, 15, from a Mississippi River overlook.

The two suspects were tried separately, and Thiem was found guilty of both counts Jan. 19.

Shugart was found guilty the next day of carjacking, but the jury reached no verdict on the kidnapping charge.

Sentencing for Thiem was set by U.S. District Judge David Bramlette for April 3. Shugart will likely be sentenced on the same day, Lampton said.

The two were accused of abducting the teenagers from Louisiana Circle, an overlook off Washington Street near North Frontage Road, where they were eating breakfast in a car on a Sunday morning.

Heather’s Dodge Neon was driven to South Carolina, where it was involved in an accident on Interstate 26 near Laurens. There, Shane freed himself and reported to a state trooper what had happened.

Thiem and Shugart were arrested at the scene.

&#8220Of all the elements of the crime the fact that (the teenagers) were returned unharmed is the thing that I’m most relieved about,” Lampton said.

Authorities will look to federal sentencing guidelines in the case, Lampton said.

The prison term for a federal kidnapping conviction is 20 years to life. For carjacking, the maximum is 15 years. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000.

&#8220They’re looking at some pretty substantial time,” Lampton said.