A Roberts, Montana man has been found guilty of kidnapping and threatening one woman and two children while trafficking meth, fentanyl, and cocaine.
According to court documents, Adolfo Vargas-Lepe, 40, kidnapped Jane Does 1, 2, and 3, a mother and two daughters, in November 2017 and transported them to multiple states and into Mexico. While in Mexico, Lepe locked them in a house to prevent them from fleeing.
Lepe plied Jane Doe 1 with methamphetamine and told her he transported drugs for a Mexican cartel. He would not let Jane Doe 1 leave his sight because of her knowledge of his drug trafficking. He threatened to kill her and have cartel members kill her family, he continuously physically assaulted her, and he threatened her with a gun.
In 2018, when Jane Doe 3 had returned to live with her mother (Jane Doe 1), Lepe sexually assaulted her at a residence in Billings. In 2023, Lepe kidnapped Jane Doe 4, whom he had known for several years, from her residence in Wyoming, after sending her a text message from Montana that threatened to hurt her because she tried to get away from him.
Lepe faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life for kidnapping an adult, a fine of $250,000, and five years of supervised release. He also faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a maximum term of life for each count of kidnapping a minor, a $250,000 fine, and five years to a lifetime of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the trial and will determine Lepe’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for October 2, 2025. Lepe will remain in custody pending sentencing.
The verdict was welcomed by law enforcement officials, who praised the bravery of the victims and the hard work of the investigators and prosecutors.
Related Federal Cases
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- Wyoming Man, Double Murder, Wyoming 2024 · Washington
- Marvin Wayne Magnan, Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor, WY 2017 · Washington
- Christopher Buchholz, Meth Conspiracy, WY 2023 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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