ALBUQUERQUE – Two Albuquerque men, Isaias David Jose and Tomas Mateo Gaspar, have pleaded guilty to running a clandestine stash house tied to a brutal kidnapping and ransom scheme. The men, identified as operators of the hideout, face stiff penalties for their roles in harboring undocumented immigrants and extorting families for ransom.
The harrowing investigation kicked off on March 1, 2025, when the FBI received a chilling complaint of ransom demands tied to threats of violence and cartels. Federal agents swiftly traced calls back to a residence in southwest Albuquerque and uncovered the grim truth behind the scheme. Inside the residence, they discovered 11 undocumented immigrants, including an unaccompanied minor, ensnared by fear and violence.
Jose, alleged to be the mastermind, maintained the hideout and even took videos of his captives. Gaspar is accused of supporting the operation from within, cooking, cleaning, and aiding in management of the premises—all for a price. Both men confessed to their roles in the conspiracy, which spanned from late February to early March 2025.
Jose and Gaspar now face up to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Their sentencing will mark the culmination of an operation that has shocked the Albuquerque community and highlighted the relentless efforts of federal agents to combat illegal immigration and transnational crime networks.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, with support from the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Mysliwiec is leading the prosecution as part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at dismantling cartels and protecting local communities.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office announced the charges today. The coordinated effort underscores the commitment to eradicating violent crime and restoring peace to neighborhoods threatened by human trafficking and ransom demands.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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