Bronx Man Nabbed in Dementia Patient Abduction

Los Angeles – Johnny Ray Gasca, 53, of the Bronx, is staring down the barrel of a life sentence after a federal jury found him guilty of kidnapping a 68-year-old woman suffering from dementia, and then desperately trying to bury the evidence. Gasca snatched the victim from the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center back in July 2021, sparking a frantic FBI investigation.

The feds say Gasca initially attempted to secure a medical appointment at the VA facility, but when that failed, he forcibly abducted the vulnerable woman. Witnesses identified him as the assailant, and the victim was found alongside Gasca after the FBI tracked her cell phone to a local hotel. The abduction wasn’t a random act; evidence suggests Gasca was after the victim’s finances.

During the trial, testimony revealed a disturbing pattern of attempted financial exploitation. The victim’s friend took the stand, detailing suspicions that Gasca had already siphoned funds from the woman’s bank and retirement accounts. Bank records confirmed a $35,000 withdrawal, painting a clear picture of motive. Gasca’s desperation to cover his tracks quickly became apparent as the investigation closed in.

While behind bars, Gasca allegedly directed an associate in New York to wipe incriminating Facebook Messenger conversations. He also instructed the associate to raid his apartment and collect hard drives before the FBI could seize them, fearing they contained proof of his financial crimes. These actions formed the basis of the obstruction of justice and witness tampering charges, adding significantly to his legal woes.

United States District Judge André Birotte Jr. presided over the case, delivering the guilty verdict on all counts: kidnapping, two counts of attempted obstruction of justice, and one count of attempted witness tampering. Assistant US Attorneys Kevin B. Reidy and Kathy Yu presented a solid case, meticulously laying out the evidence gathered by the FBI and the Department of Veteran Affairs Police Department. The VA Police Department provided crucial initial support in locating the victim and launching the investigation.

Gasca is scheduled to be sentenced on September 29th. He faces a statutory maximum of life in federal prison. The feds aren’t offering sympathy, and with a vulnerable victim and clear evidence of attempted cover-up, it’s likely the judge will come down hard. Public Information Officer Ciaran McEvoy is handling media inquiries regarding the case.

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