CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal charges for his role in a kidnapping and ransom conspiracy that culminated in a deadly shootout in a quiet Charlottesville neighborhood, federal authorities announced Thursday.
Jordan Perez, 21, of Lockhart, Texas, admitted to one count of conspiracy to kidnap and one count of transporting an alien resulting in death. The plea comes as part of Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative targeting violent crimes linked to border-related offenses.
According to court documents, Perez and co-defendant Ricardo Ordaz were part of a conspiracy that targeted individuals who had unlawfully entered the United States. In early January 2023, the group held multiple victims under armed guard, demanding ransom payments from their families in exchange for their release…