Additional Coverage:
- 5 California men indicted for kidnapping illegal immigrants, holding them for ransom: US attorney’s office (foxnews.com)
Five men in Southern California are accused of kidnapping undocumented immigrants and demanding ransom from the victims’ families. While four of the men have been arrested, the fifth remains at large.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, the arrested individuals are Miguel Angel Avila, 22, from Hemet; Omar Avila Salmeron, 41, from South Los Angeles; Jose Jaime Garcia, 20, from San Jacinto; and Jose Alfredo Moreno Gonzalez, 21, from Oak Hills. The fugitive is identified as 22-year-old Gabriel Michel Becerra from Palmdale.
The group faces multiple charges including conspiracy to commit hostage-taking and kidnapping, transporting illegal aliens for financial gain, and extortion under the Hobbs Act.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated that the accused allegedly exploited migrants seeking a better life by holding them for ransom, and emphasized the commitment to holding such individuals accountable.
The indictment alleges that on March 21, 2023, Avila instructed Moreno to kidnap four undocumented immigrants from Chandler, Arizona, and transport them to Burbank, California. Once in Burbank, Avila, Garcia, and Becerra allegedly detained the hostages while Avila demanded ransom from their families via cellphone.
Further allegations detail that on March 22, Avila and Salmeron made additional ransom demands. Subsequently, one hostage escaped, but Avila reportedly chased, body-slammed, and assaulted the victim in Koreatown, attempting to re-capture him.
The hostages were later moved to another location where they were restrained and threatened with violence. On March 23, Avila, Garcia, and Becerra allegedly received an $11,000 ransom for releasing one of the hostages.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath condemned the defendants for exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit, declaring they will face justice.
The arrested suspects pleaded not guilty and are scheduled for trial in October, while Becerra remains a fugitive. Authorities urge the public to provide any information regarding Becerra’s whereabouts.
If convicted, each suspect could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.