Three Men Arrested on Extortion Charges For The Kidnapping of Two Men

FORT WORTH, Texas — Fernando Cabrera, 21, Nygul Anderson, 19, and Albert Gonzalez, 18, all of Monterrey, Mexico, were arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint stemming from the kidnapping and extortion of two men, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Cabrera, Anderson and Gonzalez were each charged with one count each of conspiracy to possess extortion proceeds.  They are scheduled to make their initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey L. Cureton.

According to the affidavit filed with the complaint, on September 22, 2017, an individual began receiving threatening calls from an unrecognizable Mexican telephone number.  The caller stated he kidnapped the individual’s two brothers in Rioverde, San Luis Potosi, Mexico and demanded $300,000 or they would be killed.  The next day the ransom demand was lowered to $40,000 and then again to $20,000.  Instructions were given to deliver the money, once the money was delivered the caller disclosed the location of the brothers and they were found tied up in a motel room in Rioverde, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

On September 29, 2017, the same individual received another call from the same Mexican telephone number demanding an additional $100,000 or else they would kidnap the brothers again and kill them.  The deadline for the second ransom drop was Friday, October 13, 2017.  On October 13, 2017, the caller agreed to a location at a Home Depot in Fort Worth for the money drop.  At approximately 4:30 p.m., a controlled money drop was made at the agreed upon meeting location.  A Hispanic male, exited a red Chevrolet Camaro and attempted to retrieve the package after it was dropped.  Three individuals in the red Chevrolet Camaro were then arrested by FBI SWAT Team members.

A complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offense charged and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge.  A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.  The government has 30 days to present the matter to a grand jury for indictment.  The maximum statutory penalty for the offense as charged is up to 5 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating.  Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl is in charge of the prosecution.

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