By The opinion
07 Nov 2023, 10:38 AM EST
Two men involved in a violent kidnapping revealed that their actions were under the orders of a Mexican drug cartel, according to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Alamdar S. Hamdani, in a statement.
Noah Hernandez39 years old, and his accomplice Homero Gallegos43, both from Houston, were involved in a kidnapping for 24 hours on May 3, 2019.
The victim, whose identity was not released, was threatened with death and beaten, in addition to being subjected to electric shocks with a taser gun while his hands were tied.
According to the official report obtained by local media such as KPRC Houston, an NBC affiliate, members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) contacted the victim’s relatives and demanded $400,000 for his release.
For these actions Homero Gallegos pleaded guilty. Regarding the kidnapping, the victim was able to be rescued after a simulation to deliver the ransom money.
Noé Hernández and his accomplices now await sentencing, which is scheduled for March 2024. The charges carry the possibility of life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
“The CJNG is one of the most violent cartels in Mexicoresponsible for trafficking tons of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl to the United States,” said prosecutor Hamdani.
“His power comes from the willingness to commit heinous acts, including murder. “The kidnapping and use of a Taser to torture exemplify the level of brutality associated with one of the most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in the world, one that ravages communities from Mexico to Houston… and beyond,” he added.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Houston Police, along with prosecutors Aníbal J. Alaniz and Casey N. McDonald in charge of the legal process.
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