Federal Way man indicted for kidnapping

Seattle – A 24-year-old Federal Way, Washington man will appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle today following his indictment for kidnapping, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Daniel Lopez was indicted by the grand jury on November 6, 2024. Lopez was arrested in Texas and has been in state custody on charges originally filed in King County Superior Court. Lopez is indicted for the October 13, 2024, kidnapping of an Auburn, Washington woman. The woman was abducted at gunpoint from her home and ultimately was found safe in Guatemala.

According to records filed in the case, the woman’s husband reported her missing on October 14, 2024, after arriving home and finding her belongings at their apartment. Two witnesses reported seeing the woman leaving with two men, one of whom was carrying a firearm. This man was subsequently identified as Lopez. Lopez was initially identified based on surveillance video from across the street showing vehicles in the apartment complex parking lot.  Officers then reviewed traffic camera pictures to obtain license plate information and ultimately determined Lopez was a registered owner of one of the vehicles.

Lopez was ultimately traced to Houston, Texas and was arrested on October 19, 2024, at a hotel.

The victim was identified by immigration authorities in southern Mexico and was transported to Guatemala where she has family members.

Law enforcement is working to determine any other coconspirators in the kidnapping scheme.

Kidnapping is punishable by up to life in prison.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by the Auburn Police Department and the FBI.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.