BOSTON – A federal jury in Boston convicted the leader of a kidnapping crew whose organization was involved in violent abductions, including burning victims with hot irons.
Danny Veloz, a/k/a ‘Maestro,’ 40, of Lawrence, was convicted of conspiracy to commit kidnapping following a two-week trial.
U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for November 17, 2017, for Veloz, who was arrested on September 28, 2012.
Veloz was the leader of a violent, sophisticated kidnapping crew in Lawrence, which consisted of four other Lawrence men – Jose Guzman, a/k/a ‘Cano’; Gadiel Romero, a/k/a ‘TC’; Jose Matos, a/k/a ‘Boyca’; and Luis Reynoso, a/k/a ‘Prieto’; as well as Henry Maldonado, of Manchester, N.H.; and Thomas Wallace of Raynham, N.H.
On July 23, 2012, armed with firearms and wearing t-shirts with the word ‘police’ on them, the crew kidnapped two men at gunpoint on Allston Street in Lawrence. The victims were transported to Manchester, N.H., and held overnight – during which time one was burned with a hot iron – before being rescued by law enforcement.
A search of Veloz’s home resulted in the seizure of two laptop computers containing information about GPS tracking devices used to commit kidnappings, as well as cell phones used by Veloz to communicate with his associates.
The charge of conspiracy to commit kidnapping provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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