Two Mexican nationals were indicted on eight charges stemming from a plot to hold undocumented immigrants hostage and for ransom until their families paid.
A grand jury in Tucson charged Olegario Lares-De La Rosa and Ivan Heriberto Borboa-Ruiz with conspiracy to commit hostage-taking, hostage-taking, conspiracy to commit transportation of illegal aliens for profit, transportation of illegal aliens for profit, and prohibited possessors of firearms and ammunition.
“The indictment alleges that from a date unknown until April 8, 2022, Lares-De La Rosa and Borboa-Ruiz conspired together to detain two undocumented noncitizens in order to compel family members to pay money as a condition for their release. The initial complaint further alleges that a relative of the undocumented noncitizens was contacted by a male who said they would be held until $8,000 per person was paid in cash. The undocumented noncitizens were released after payment was made at a Home Depot parking lot. Lares-De La Rosa and Borboa-Ruiz were later arrested and found in possession of firearms, ” a press release from the Department of Justice explains.
If convicted, each individual could face life in prison for the hostage charge alone. According to the DOJ, the other offenses carry a maximum of 10 years.
Furthermore, Breitbart News reported that a relative of one of the hostages contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement to report the crime. Court records claim that the duo placed a call to the family again demanding money, allowing federal authorities to track the phone.
Members of ICE Homeland Security Investigations set up a sting operation to capture the individuals where they agreed to meet to pay the hostage takers. However, after giving the money and securing the release of the migrants, law enforcement officials promptly arrested Lares-De La Rosa and Borboa-Ruiz.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
