Authorities say the men have been charged in connection with a ring that seized at least six people who were trying to enter the U.S. illegally.
Three Southern California men have been charged in connection with a ring that kidnapped and held for ransom at least six people who were trying to cross into the United States illegally, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
Edgar Lemus, 23, of Vernon; Francisco Hernandez Martinez, 20, also of Vernon; and Junior Martinez, 23, of Watts are charged with conspiracy to launder money, the U.S. attorney’s office announced.The suspects pretended to offer assistance to people who wanted to cross the border from Mexico but instead held them for ransom and sometimes demanded additional money after receiving payments, prosecutors said.Prosecutors allege Lemus and the other two men picked up the ransom payments from relatives.
Lemus allegedly collected $19,000 in April at a Walmart store in South Gate from the husband of a woman kidnapped in Mexicali, authorities said. “After delivering the payment, the kidnappers allegedly refused to release the victim and demanded additional payment,“ the U.S. attorney’s office said in a statement. “After the victim’s husband told the kidnappers that they had made him crash his car and he was in the streets begging for more money, they stopped calling him.“The other two men allegedly picked up ransoms at a Walmart and a Target store last month.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Photos: L.A. County Sheriff calls out city officials on homeless problem, sends deputies to VeniceMembers of the St. Joseph's Center on hand to try and place homeless
Read more »
L.A. County Sheriff's deputy charged with assault, evidence tamperingA Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy has been accused of assaulting a man in the back of her cruiser in 2019 and destroying evidence.
Read more »
Napa County records first death of fully vaccinated person from COVID-19The woman died in early June from an infection tied to the Alpha variant first detected in the U.K. She was older than 65 and had underlying health conditions, officials said.
Read more »
The Eagles Push Up Start Date For ‘Hotel California’ Tour; Add Shows In Three Additional CitiesThe Eagles have added six new dates to their Hotel California tour, which is finally kicking off later this summer, after several delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The mega-platinum L.A. band&8…
Read more »
Tesla veteran Jerome Guillen leaves after less than three months leading trucking business\nGuillen had worked at the company in roles reporting directly to CEO Elon Musk since November 2010, and previously oversaw its entire Automotive business.
Read more »
Three Steps To Achieving Your Entrepreneurial GoalsEntrepreneurship is all-consuming, and personal life often gets left by the wayside while we are working toward business goals. If you want a sustainable business, you need a sustainable personal life. Here’s how to set goals and achieve balance.
Read more »