Laredoans Get Massive Sentences for Conspiracy to Kidnap Illegal Aliens

LAREDO, Texas – Three men have been ordered to prison following their convictions of conspiracy to kidnap illegal aliens, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Angel Alexis Diaz, 20, Jose Israel Diaz, 42, and Julio Osorio, 42, all of Laredo, pleaded guilty Sept. 8, 2016.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Jose Diaz to serve a total of 360 months in federal prison, while Alexis Diaz and Osorio received respective sentences of 262 months and 292 months. The sentences will be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.

Eight Mexican Nationals had arranged to be smuggled into the U.S. They claimed that after entering the country, they were transported to a residence in Laredo where they stayed for approximately two weeks. They were then transported to a second location where the three defendants then held them against their will, assaulted and extorted them for additional smuggling fees. They were also forced to undress and were beaten, held hostage and forced to contact family members to pay a ransom.

All three defendants have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher dos Santos is prosecuting the case.