Federal Charges Unsealed Related to Kidnapping of Garner Family

RALEIGH, N.C. – Three Raleigh-based individuals appeared in federal court today to face charges for kidnapping a mother and toddler from their Garner, North Carolina home.  Eleodoro Estrada-Hernandez, age 37, and siblings Paola Duran Duran, age 25, and Miguel Duran Duran, age 23, are charged in federal criminal complaints with kidnapping and aiding and abetting.  The complaints were unsealed today at the defendants’ initial appearances.  Their federal detention hearings are scheduled for May 12, 2025.

The federal criminal complaints allege that Paola, Miguel (wearing a ski mask) and Hernandez (wearing a ski mask and armed with a semi-automatic handgun) forcibly entered a home in Garner on the evening of April 28, 2025.  Inside the home was a husband and wife and their 13-month-old child.  The complaints allege that Hernandez and Miguel overpowered the husband, taped his hands behind his back and covered his eyes and mouth, and then demanded $1 million.  Miguel and Paola forced the mother and toddler out the back door of the house and into a car, according to the complaints.  Hernandez left the house a short time later. Once alone, the complaints allege that the husband was able to free himself and call police.  He provided law enforcement with a description of a car he believed the kidnappers were driving.

Police issued an Amber Alert, and a short time later, the complaint alleges that the kidnappers dropped the mother and child off on a dirt road approximately 30 miles away from their house.  The victims were able to walk to a nearby house and contact police and were returned home safely.

The FBI arrested Paola and Miguel on April 29, 2025. They have been detained since that date on related state charges.  The FBI arrested Hernandez on May 2, 2025.  According to information presented in court today, all three defendants are allegedly illegally present in the United States.

“These significant federal charges result from the prompt response of law enforcement and demonstrate the close partnership between all of the agencies involved,” Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar stated today.  “Investigating and prosecuting violent crimes like those alleged in the complaints will remain a top priority for our office.”

“When our partners at the Garner Police Department requested FBI assistance with a kidnapping, we surged resources from across the state in the middle of the night. Alongside local and state partners, a fast-moving and complex case unfolded. Through the combination of investigative technology, tactics, and tools, thankfully the victims were recovered safely. The FBI will continue to support our partners and work towards justice for innocent victims caught up in violent criminal actions,” said Robert M. DeWitt, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina. 

Eleodoro Estrada-Hernandez, Paola Duran Duran and Miguel Duran Duran are all charged with Kidnapping and Aiding and Abetting. All three face a maximum punishment of life in prison if convicted.

Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The FBI Raleigh-Durham Safe Streets Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Garner Police Department, NC State Bureau of Investigation, and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Avera is prosecuting the case.

Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case Nos.5:25-MJ-1559 and 5:25‐MJ‐1571.