Two siblings were convicted of kidnapping a guy in Mexico and threatening his family in Los Angeles County for ransom.
A jury found Mario Alex Medina, 54, a.k.a. “Shyboy,” and Maria Alejandra Medina, 51, of Rosarito, Mexico, guilty on Friday of their role in an abduction and ransom conspiracy, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
A third person involved, Jose Salud Medina, 31, also known as “Gordo,” Mario’s son, is in Mexican detention and will face separate charges in this case.
According to the US Attorney’s Office, on November 5, 2022, Mario and his accomplices stormed into a neighbor’s house and kidnapped a man at gunpoint.
The victim, only known as “R.V.,” was pistol-whipped while the kidnappers shot a revolver near his head.
Mario’s accomplice called the victim’s family, who live in Los Angeles County. They wanted $70,000 for the man’s release and provided a video of him being thrashed via WhatsApp, according to court filings.
Days later, Jose allegedly called the victim’s relative and threatened to kill the man unless they paid at least $30,000.
Mario pretended to be an intermediary between the victim’s relatives and the hostage-takers. He instructed the victim’s family to pay the ransom at a meeting at a McDonald’s restaurant in San Ysidro, just north of the US-Mexico border.
The victim’s relatives came to McDonald’s and gave over the $30,000 ransom payment to Jose and Maria, who took it with them to Mexico.
The victim was left tied up and abandoned in a small, subterranean trench until Mexican authorities recovered him later that day.
“These defendants subjected their victim and his family to a terrifying ordeal to illegally profit,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada charged. “This callous disrespect for people and reckless use of violence must and will not be condoned. “These defendants will now face justice for their crimes.”
Mario and Maria were found guilty of conspiring to take hostages and demand ransom money. Mario was also found guilty of sending a foreign communication with the aim of extorting.
Jose remains in Mexican detention on separate accusations. He is scheduled to face two trials in this matter, where he is charged with conspiracy to take hostages, conspiracy to demand a ransom payment, and making a foreign communication to extort.
A sentencing hearing is set for February 3, 2025, during which Mario and Maria might face life in federal prison.
