Mexican National Gets 40 Years in Prison for Kidnapping

McALLEN, Texas ‐ A 29-year-old resident of Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been handed a significant sentence for his conviction of kidnapping, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson along with Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Antonio. Martin Margarito-Casimiro pleaded guilty to the charges May 27, 2015.

Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez, who accepted the guilty plea, handed Margarito-Casimiro a 480-month sentence and ordered he pay a $25,000 fine. In handing down the sentence, Judge Alvarez noted that this kind of conduct goes on routinely in Mexico and unfortunately is seen more and more in Texas. Judge Alvarez hoped that this sentence would not only serve as a deterrent to Margarito himself, but also to anyone else seeking vengeance for a debt owed. Margarito-Casimiro is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.

“Today's sentencing exemplifies the high level of collaboration between HSI and its partners in  identifying, arresting and prosecuting individuals involved in human smuggling,” said Dawson. “HSI will continue to utilize its broad authorities, in concert with its federal , state/local partners to disrupt and dismantle these criminal organizations.”

On Jan. 22, 2015, law enforcement responded to a man’s cry for help as he ran down the street with rope still tied around his arms and legs. That victim led law enforcement to the McAllen residence where he had been held. There, law enforcement found another victim with his arms and legs bound. At that time, law enforcement discovered Margarito-Casimiro and others who were attempting to flee.

At the time of his guilty plea, Margarito-Casimiro admitted he held at least one victim at gunpoint for ransom for an alleged lost load of marijuana and directed co-conspirators to tie the victim’s hands and feet. The victim was told he needed to pay in order to be released.

Margarito-Casimiro will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and McAllen Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Rees and Leo J. Leo prosecuted the case.