Men Charged in Kidnapping and Ransom Case

Five California men face serious charges for allegedly kidnapping and holding undocumented migrants for ransom, exploiting vulnerable individuals seeking a better life in the United States.

At a Glance

Five Southern California men have been charged with kidnapping migrants and holding them for ransom.
The suspects face multiple charges, including hostage-taking and transporting illegal aliens for financial gain.
Four suspects have been arrested, while one remains a fugitive.
The victims were allegedly threatened, assaulted, and held captive while ransom was demanded from their families.

Suspects and Charges

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has indicted five Southern California men on charges related to the kidnapping and ransom of undocumented migrants. The suspects, hailing from Hemet, Los Angeles, San Jacinto, Palmdale, and Oak Hills, are accused of multiple serious offenses, including hostage-taking, kidnapping, and transporting illegal aliens for private financial gain.

Four of the accused – Miguel Angel Avila, Omar Avila Salmeron, Jose Jaime Garcia, and Jose Algredo Moreno Gonzalez – have been arrested. The fifth suspect, Gabriel Michel Becerra, remains at large, with authorities seeking information on his whereabouts. The arrests highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating human smuggling and exploitation of vulnerable migrants.

Four Southern California men arrested on charges alleging they kidnapped migrants and held them for ransom https://t.co/NZKzfEuInI

— US Attorney L.A. (@USAO_LosAngeles) September 9, 2024

Details of the Alleged Crimes

According to the indictment, on March 21, 2023, Moreno allegedly kidnapped four migrants in Chandler, Arizona, and transported them to Burbank, California. Subsequently, Avila, Garcia, and Becerra are accused of holding the migrants hostage and demanding ransom from their families. The suspects allegedly restrained the victims, threatened them with violence, and moved them between various locations to avoid detection.

“Human smuggling is a dangerous crime,” U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath of the Southern District of California said. “These defendants will face justice for abusing vulnerable migrants for profit.”

In a disturbing turn of events, one of the migrants managed to escape from a motel where they were being held. However, Avila allegedly pursued and violently assaulted the victim in an attempt to recapture them. This incident underscores the dangerous and volatile nature of these criminal operations.

Financial Exploitation and Legal Consequences

The defendants reportedly received $11,000 in ransom from one migrant’s family, highlighting the financial motivation behind these crimes. Avila is accused of using the victims’ phones to demand ransom payments, adding another layer of cruelty to their ordeal.

“These defendants allegedly preyed upon victims who sought to emigrate to our country by demanding ransom from the victims’ families in exchange for their release,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada of the Central District of California said. “Our office is committed to ensuring that those who use violence to terrorize others face severe consequences for their actions.”

If convicted, the defendants could face life in federal prison, reflecting the gravity of their alleged crimes. All four arrested suspects have pleaded not guilty, with trials scheduled for October 1 and October 29. Avila and Salmeron are currently held without bond, while Garcia and Moreno have been released on bond.

Ongoing Investigation

The case is under investigation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Los Angeles Police Department. This collaborative effort underscores the seriousness with which federal and local authorities are treating these crimes.