Oklahoma City Man Sentenced To 209 Months, $1,200 Restitution For Kidnapping, Robbery, Possessing And Brandishing A Firearm During A Crime Of Violence

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Rafael Torres, age 35, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was sentenced to 209 months’ imprisonment, and 5 years of supervised release for Kidnapping, Interference With Commerce By Robbery, Use, Carry, And Brandish A Firearm During And In Relation To A Crime Of Violence, and to Felon In Possession Of Firearm. Torres was also ordered to pay $1,200.00 in restitution.  When on supervised release, Torres will not be able to possess a firearm or any controlled dangerous substances, he must submit to DNA testing, and he must participate in treatment for drugs, alcohol, and mental health issues.  The charges arose from an investigation by the Morrilton Police Department (Arkansas), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.   

The Indictment alleged that on February 3, 2019, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant unlawfully and willfully seized, confined, inveigled, kidnapped, abducted and carried away J.S., and held J.S. for the purpose of acquiring transportation, and willfully transported J.S. in interstate commerce from Oklahoma to Arkansas. 

Additional counts in the Indictment alleged the defendant unlawfully obstructed, delayed and affected, and attempted to obstruct, delay and affect, commerce as that term is defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951, and the movement of articles and commodities in such commerce, by robbery; that he knowingly brandished, carried and used a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, that is, Interference with Commerce by Robbery; and that the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, a firearm which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.

United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “The defendant in this case forced his way into the victim’s vehicle and for hours forced him to drive around at gun point with no apparent destination in mind – a truly horrific situation for the victim. Fortunately the victim took advantage of an opportunity to separate from the defendant and was able to alert law enforcement. The victim’s night of terror ended with the defendant being taken into custody. The memories of that night may fade slowly, but hopefully justice served will be another step toward fully recovering from the emotional trauma the defendant inflicted.”

“The FBI and its partners will continue to aggressively investigate violent crimes such as the ones committed by Mr. Torres”, said Melissa Godbold, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Oklahoma City Division. “We are grateful for the partnership of the United States Attorney’s Office, and its successful prosecution of this case which removed a violent criminal from the community.”

The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah McAmis represented the United States.