SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (KRQE) – A federal grand jury has indicted two New Mexico brothers for taking hostages and harboring illegal immigrants last year. Now, 41-year-old Saul Castorena and 40-year-old Steven Castorena are in custody and are facing several charges each.
According to the second superseding indictment, the brothers captured and threatened to injure or kill two illegal immigrants if a third party did not pay ransom for their release. The indictment claims these crimes were committed between Jan. 15 and Jan. 18, 2023.
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The indictment explains that Saul Castorena had previously been convicted of conspiracy to transport aliens for financial gain and transporting aliens for financial gain. Despite being a convicted felon, Castorena possessed a firearm and had not registered that firearm.
Both brothers are charged with conspiracy to take a hostage, two counts of hostage taking, conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens, and two counts of harboring illegal aliens. Saul Castorena is facing the additional charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing an unregistered firearm.