Devonta Pollard, a University of Alabama basketball player, and six others have been charged with conspiracy to kidnap in a case that began on April 30 with the power forward's mother abducting a six-year-old girl, the Associated Press reported.

The prosecution said Jessie Mae Pollard, Devonta's mother, kidnapped the girl for leverage against the girl's mother for more land. Authorities also said the captors asked for a ransom of $50,000 at one point.

Also indicted were Wanda Faye Dancy, Shamarious Ruffin, Shaquayla Johnigan, James Johnigan and Joyce Johnigan. The co-conspirators' relationship to each other is not clear as of yet.

Jessie Mae could face a life sentence for leading the scheme and performing the abduction, while Pollard and the other five conspirators could get up to five years in prison.

Pollard was released on a $10,00 bond "with some reservation" because he tested positive for marijuana after his arrest. Lisa Ross, Pollard's lawyer, said the young basketball player was looking to transfer for East Mississippi Community College.

"We intend to defend him vigorously," Ross said. "Of course he's concerned about his future, athletics aside. He's concerned about his liberty."

The AP reported at least 20 family members were present in the courtroom and were all warned by U.S Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball not to interfere or else face obstruction or witness tampering charges.

The Johnigans' lawyers did not comment.

Jessie Mae, who was out of state for a mental evaluation, will be arraigned later. Jessie Mae texted the victim's mother "don't call the police I will call you later if you call the police u won't see her again."

According to an affidavit, Dancy, a 51-year-old employee of East Kemper Elementary School in Scooba, Miss., told Jesse Mae, 54, the girl's location in school and what she was wearing that day.

Ruffin, 25, allegedly was told to lead the girl from the library to Dancy.

According to a report by the Tuscaloosa News, police were able to trace Jesse Mae's cell phone use to the victim's mother, with whom Pollard was having the land dispute.

The victim was reportedly taken from her school around noon on April 30 and was found unharmed the next day on a rural road in Enterprise, Miss. After being left on the road, she walked to a nearby house and knocked on the door for help.

Police confirm the child has been returned safely to her mother.

Jesse Mae Pollard was accused of kidnapping on April 30 and was arrested soon after. She was seen on surveillance tape buying the cell phone used to deliver a text message and a hang-up call to the victim's mother. Jesse Mae and the girl were seen leaving in a gold or tan Cadillac, a vehicle belonging to Devonta Pollard.

Investigators found the phone in the car along with a receipt and key to a hotel where the young girl was held with Jesse Mae and another woman believed to have accompanied Jesse Mae throughout the kidnapping.