Lorie Lin Flowers, Human Smuggling & Kidnapping for Ransom, Texas 2023

Deadly Houston Smuggling Scheme Unfolds: Three Shot, Held Hostage, and Beaten for Ransom

HOUSTON – In a shocking turn of events, two individuals, Lorie Lin Flowers, 25, and Santiago Hernandez Jr., 26, are expected to appear in Houston federal court in relation to a human smuggling event that turned fatal in March 2023.

The Houston residents had evaded law enforcement for over nine months until authorities recently apprehended them following their removal from Mexico back to the United States.

The charges allege that on March 17 and 18, 2023, a human smuggling operation resulted in the armed kidnapping of three migrants along I-10 East in Waller County. Three other victims were shot and left at the scene, according to the allegations. The alleged perpetrators held the victims hostage at two Houston area hotels and began requesting ransom money from their families.

The alleged kidnappers released two hostages after their families paid the ransom and law enforcement conducted an operation to rescue the remaining victim.

According to testimony presented in court, the kidnappers beat and threatened the victims while held for ransom. The scheme led to the death of one of the alleged perpetrators.

The case has been ongoing, with several individuals previously indicted, including Brian Martinez, 24, and Christian Hernandez, 26, both of East Bernard, Miguel Gonzalez, 34, of Richmond, and Houston residents Zachary Austin Palomo, 29, Alex Anthony Fisher, 27, and Brenda Roxana Serrano Figueroa, 25. All but Miguel Gonzalez have remained in custody on various charges.

The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the sheriff’s offices in Harris and Waller Counties, Houston Police Department and the State Attorney General of the State of Michoacán in the arrest of the fugitives. Assistant U.S. Attorney John M. Lewis is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

Lorie Lin Flowers, 25, and Santiago Hernandez Jr., 26, face up to life in prison if convicted of aiding and abetting kidnapping. Miguel Gonzalez, Cristian Hernandez, and Brian Martinez could receive up to 10 years in federal prison upon conviction for bringing in and harboring certain individuals. All charged also carry a potential fine of $250,000.

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