KENNETT, Mo. — Kenneth Canday, 25, of Kennett, Missouri, has been found guilty of 13 felonies, including kidnapping, assault, robbery, weapons offenses, and resisting arrest. The charges stem from a violent incident in Senath, Missouri earlier this year, culminating in a dramatic eight-hour standoff with law enforcement.
Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas D. Jain confirmed Canday’s conviction, which was secured after a jury trial on November 6 and 7 in Pemiscot County before Judge Joshua D. Underwood. Dunklin County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Dicus led the prosecution.
The incident occurred on January 28, 2024, when Canday and his co-defendants lured a man to an apartment in Senath, where they assaulted, cut, burned, and robbed him of his cell phone. The next day, when police attempted to arrest Canday, he barricaded himself in a residence with two hostages inside, initiating the standoff.
After approximately four hours, Canday released one hostage through negotiation. However, it took a SWAT team a further four hours to breach the barricade, rescuing the second hostage and taking Canday into custody.
Canday’s charges include:
Two counts of first-degree kidnapping
First-degree robbery
Two counts of second-degree assault
Five counts of armed criminal action
Third-degree assault
Unlawful use of a weapon
Resisting arrest
Following the verdict, Judge Underwood ordered Canday to be held without bail until his sentencing on January 6, 2025. He is subject to an enhanced sentencing range due to his prior felony convictions for receiving stolen property and tampering with electronic monitoring equipment.