United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

LOCAL MAN WHO MAILED EXTORTION LETTER THREATENING
TO KIDNAP A LOCAL BUSINESSMAN’S CHILDREN IS
SENTENCED TO 51 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Dallas resident, Alejandro Trejo, who pled guilty in July 2006 to one count of mailing a threatening communication, was sentenced today in federal court in Dallas, announced United States Attorney Richard B. Roper. The Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn, United States District Judge, sentenced Trejo to 51 months imprisonment. He has been in custody since his arrest in May 2006 on related charges outlined in a federal criminal complaint.

Trejo admitted that on April 27, 2006, he mailed a letter to Alberto Martin in Irving, Texas, with the specific intent of extorting money from Mr. Martin. That letter stated,

“We invite you this one time only through this means, to buy peace of mind for you and for your loved ones with a small investment”

and then went on to give three options. Option one was

“$180,000. American dollars on May 5 in used bills of small denominations, 20s and 50s.”

Option two was

“$360,000. American Dollars on May 11 in used bills of small denominations, 20s and 50s.”

Option three was stated,

“If we receive no answer to one of the first two options in the time or in the matter requested], it will be $2,000,000. American dollars on the day we say, after the two mentioned dates, in exchange for one of your children.”

The threatening letter went on to say,

“We know all your movements in Mexico; we know what schools your children attend, their activities, their schedules. They would never again be at peace.”

Trejo further admitted that the letter went on to give specific details on how the money should be delivered to him. Trejo also admitted that he sent another letter to Mr. Martin on May 1, 2006 to remind him of his options.

Trejo also stipulated that on May 5, 2006, he contacted Mr. Martin via cell phone and requested the number of the individual that would be delivering the money. Trejo admits that after acquiring a telephone number from Mr. Martin, he contacted an individual he believed to be delivering the $180,000.00. Trejo gave instructions to that individual as to how and where to deliver the requested money. That person however was an undercover agent and Trejo was arrested by law enforcement after he retrieved what he thought was the extortion money.

U.S. Attorney praised the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Irving Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Calvert.

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