FEDERAL
GRAND JURY CHARGES MOTHER AND DAUGHTER IN EXTORTION / RANSOM CASE
United
States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that in El Paso today,
a federal grand jury returned an indictment against a mother and daughter
in connection with an extortion / ransom investigation.
The indictment charges 40-year-old Maria Gloria Hernandez-Castillo, a
Mexican citizen residing in Juarez, and her daughter, 21-year-old Sara
Jahzeel Gonzalez, a Mexican national living in El Paso, with one count
each of receiving the proceeds of extortion and receiving or possessing
ransom money. Upon conviction of both charges, the defendants face up
to 13 years in federal prison.
Alleged in court documents, on March 25, 2007, the defendants knowingly
collected $65,000 in ransom money from Elaine Luchene. Luchene had traveled
from Chicago to El Paso to secure the release of her friend, Charlie Waters.
At the time, Waters was being held captive in Juarez by unknown individuals
until he settled an alleged drug debt. Court records indicate that he
had been held for approximately 6 weeks while Luchene raised the money
to secure his release. FBI agents arrested Hernandez and Gonzalez in El
Paso following the ransom exchange.
Hernandez remains in federal custody; Gonzalez was released on a $10,000
bond on April 6, 2007. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on
April 27, 2007, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael McDonald.
This continuing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau
of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney William F. Lewis is
prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through
due process of law.
#####
|
