Ismael Castrejon-Guizar, Kidnapping Conspiracy, GA (Year Not Specif…

New York – A brutal kidnapping conspiracy that led to a terrifying ordeal for a Georgia victim has culminated in federal charges against four alleged perpetrators. Acting United States Attorney Joon H. Kim and Special Agent-in-Charge Timothy Gallagher of the FBI Newark Field Office have announced the charges.

The defendants, ISMAEL CASTREJON-GUIZAR (a/k/a “Guero”), EDGARDO NAVAREZ (a/k/a “Edgar”), DULCE SANTOS-VALENZUELA, and RICARDO OCASIO-REYES (a/k/a “Ricky”) are accused of forcibly abducting the victim at gunpoint, stabbing and shooting him, and driving him from Georgia towards New York. The ordeal ended when law enforcement authorities rescued the victim at the New York/New Jersey border.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim emphasized the violence of the crime: “The defendants allegedly committed a brutal kidnapping – seizing their victim at gunpoint, shooting at him, stabbing him, and then driving him from Georgia, headed for the Bronx. Thankfully, the victim was rescued, and the defendants apprehended.”

The Indictment filed yesterday charges the defendants with participating in a conspiracy to kidnap and with the use and possession of firearms during the kidnapping. The charges carry maximum statutory penalties of life in prison.

Although previously arrested by state authorities, the defendants have been detained and will be brought into federal custody. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan.

The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, Port Authority Police Department, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and Chamblee Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justina L. Geraci will handle the prosecution.