A California family was allegedly given a $70,000 ransom and threats to kill their loved ones after three of them kidnapped their loved ones in Mexico.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said: press release Mario Alex “Shyboy” Medina, 53, was identified as “RV” in Mexico, along with his son Jose Sarru “Gordo” Medina, 31, and sister María Alejandra Medina, 50. kidnapped the next door neighbor.
Authorities say the victim was forcibly taken from his home at gunpoint, pistol-whipped and threatened with a gun. The prosecutor’s office also said the Mexican kidnappers fired guns near the victim’s head.
After the kidnapping, the kidnappers allegedly contacted the victim’s family in Los Angeles County, California and demanded $70,000 for his release.
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A view of the U.S.-Mexico border fence on May 13, 2023 in Yuma, Arizona. (Qian Weizhong/VCG, via Getty Images)
The kidnappers also sent a video of the victim being beaten through WhatsApp.
Jose Medina then threatened to kill the victim unless the family immediately paid him $30,000.
Mario Medina then posed as an intermediary and instructed the victim’s family to meet at a McDonald’s restaurant in San Ysidro, California, just north of the U.S.-Mexico border, to deliver the ransom.
A recruiting sign appears at Moab’s only McDonald’s restaurant in September 2021, weeks after the murders of newlyweds Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner. (Michael Lewis/Fox News Digital)
The next day, Jose and Maria Medina met with the victim’s family at a restaurant and collected $30,000 in ransom money to take back to Mexico, according to the indictment.
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The victim was left tied up in a ditch until he was rescued by Mexican law enforcement later that day, according to the indictment.
If convicted as charged, Mario Alex Medina, Jose Salud Medina, and Maria Alejandra Medina could face up to life in prison. (Getty Images)
The three family members have been charged with conspiracy to take hostages and demand ransom. In addition, Mario and Jose Medina are charged with communicating with a foreign country for the purpose of extortion.
Maria Medina has been in federal custody since March 26 and is awaiting arraignment on April 16. Mario Medina appeared in court in Bakersfield awaiting a detention hearing scheduled for April 11. Jose Medina is currently imprisoned in Mexico.
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If convicted as charged, the defendants could be sentenced to up to life in prison.
The FBI is investigating this matter.
