Two Albuquerque cronies are facing heavy sentences after pleading guilty to harboring undocumented immigrants and masterminding a ransom scheme. Isaias David Jose, the alleged kingpin of the operation, and his cohort, Tomas Mateo Gaspar, were caught in an FBI sting that began unraveling on March 1st, 2025.
According to court documents, a kidnapping complaint was the alarm bell that set off the investigation. The FBI traced ransom calls back to a southwest Albuquerque residence where they found 11 undocumented immigrants, including a child, locked in rooms and terrorized by threats of violence. Inside, agents discovered a treasure trove of smuggling evidence and ransom videos.
Jose and Gaspar were identified as the brains behind the operation. Jose was the gatekeeper and videographer of the stash house, while Gaspar lived off the premises but provided crucial support through cooking, cleaning, and managing the property. Both men acknowledged their roles in a conspiracy that traded human lives for cash.
The defendants now face up to a decade in federal prison and three years of supervised release upon their release. The charges against them are part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at dismantling cartels and criminal organizations across the country.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office announced the guilty pleas. The investigation was a joint effort between the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Mysliwiec.
This crackdown on illegal immigration and ransom schemes sends a stark message: the Justice Department is cracking down on those who prey on vulnerable immigrants and use violence for profit. The gritty streets of Albuquerque are one step closer to peace as these two criminals are brought to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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