August 13, 10

NEWS / Last Defendant in Violent Kidnapping Sentenced to Prison

LAREDO, TX—The last of six defendants convicted for his role in a violent kidnapping of a local man who was shot and left for dead, but miraculously survived, has been sentenced to prison, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.

At a hearing today, United States District Judge George P. Kazen sentenced Enrique Adriano, 33, of Mexico to a total of 400 months in federal prison—250 months for conspiring to kidnap to be followed by 150 months for using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

The kidnapping occurred during the evening hours of Feb. 17, 2007, when Adriano and five Laredoans—Mario Jesus Obregon, 43; Christopher Cardenas, 27; Ruben Cabrera, 26; Santos Ramiro Martinez, 24; and Rogelio Garcia, 28—confronted the victim, an employee of Obregon, believing the victim had spread rumors or had been stealing from them. The initial kidnapping and confrontation of the victim was at a Laredo residence in the Country Club subdivision. During this confrontation instigated by Adriano, the victim was beaten and threatened at gunpoint with an AK-47 rifle, a mini 14 rifle, an AR-15 rifle and a .9 mm handgun. After hours of torture, the victim was taken into Mexico where he was shot twice and left for dead. Adriano, who was the shooter, returned to the Laredo residence where he and others ‘partied.’

The victim miraculously survived the shootings to his head and torso and was able to contact a friend who notified U.S. law enforcement officers. The victim received medical treatment in Mexico and the U.S. but has still suffered permanent disfigurement and psychological harm as a result of defendants’ actions.

Shortly after a Mexican newspaper publicized the survival of a shooting victim, Adriano fled into Mexico where he remained until May 7, 2009, when he was extradited to the U.S. to face these charges. On July 29, 2009, Adriano pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and use of firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

Obregon, Garcia, Martinez, Cabrera and Cardenas are presently serving lengthy prison terms ranging from 96 months to 319 months in federal prison without parole for their roles in the kidnapping. Adriano and the others sentenced in this case have also been ordered (jointly and severally) to pay restitution for the victim’s medical bills in the amount of $171,505. Adriano has been in federal custody since his extradition from Mexico last year.

This case was investigated by the FBI with the assistance of the South Texas Violent Crime Task Force, the Laredo Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory. Assistant United States Attorney Graciela Rodriguez Lindberg prosecuted the case.

http://sanantonio.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel10/sa081110.htm