Brothers Held Migrants Hostage for Ransom

Brothers Held Migrants Hostage for Ransom

San Diego, CA – In a brazen display of cruelty, Virves Pablo-Francisco, a 22-year-old citizen of Guatemala, and his 20-year-old brother Nicolas Pablo-Francisco pleaded guilty to holding three unauthorized immigrants hostage for thousands of dollars in ransom.

According to court documents, the Pablo-Francisco brothers kidnapped a 16-year-old boy from Afghanistan and a father and son from Ecuador in June 2023. They demanded ransom payments ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 per person for their release.

Virves Pablo-Francisco admitted that he and his brother provided the Ecuadorian father and son with no food, telling them they would have to pay extra if they wanted to eat. Nicolas Pablo-Francisco pleaded guilty in February, admitting to holding the boy hostage and demanding ransom from his family.

Federal authorities first learned of the abductions when the Pablo-Francisco brothers contacted the 16-year-old’s family member in the United States, claiming to have the boy and demanding $4,000 for his release. The family member reported the contact to law enforcement, which led to an overnight, multi-agency effort to locate the boy and identify his kidnappers.

Agents with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, along with support from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the San Diego Police Department, and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, identified a residence in Escondido where they suspected the boy was being held. Upon entering the home, agents located Nicolas Pablo-Francisco and the boy, as well as the Ecuadorians who were also being held for ransom.

“These victims are safe because a family member was brave enough to seek help from law enforcement officials,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Always report crime. We are standing by to hold those accountable who commit crimes, and to support victims and their families.”

Virves Pablo-Francisco is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15, 2024. Nicolas Pablo-Francisco is set to be sentenced on May 6, 2024.