PORT ARTHUR, Texas – A gritty carjacking and kidnapping scheme has culminated in a severe federal sentence for Luan Van Nguyen, also known as Kevin Nguyen. The 33-year-old man from Port Arthur was handed down a 330-month term by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield following his conviction on August 2, 2012.
The Department of Justice’s Operation Time Machine targeted Nguyen in the Eastern District of Texas, where he was charged with carjacking, conspiracy to commit carjacking, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
Nguyen conspired with Patrick Allen Chaney and Rigoberto Gaytan Valenzia to kidnap a 24-year-old Port Arthur man for ransom. The trio, who had previously worked together on construction projects, conducted surveillance on the victim and his family. Nguyen’s plan was to lure the victim to an abandoned house using a fake computer repair service.
On August 6, 2010, Chaney, posing as ‘Gary Underwood,’ called the victim and arranged a meeting. Once inside the house, Valenzia threatened the victim with a shotgun while Chaney bound him. They stole the victim’s car and took off with the ransom demand in mind.
However, during their escape, the victim managed to break free from his bindings and run for help. After a struggle, he escaped and alerted police. Valenzia abandoned the van and called Nguyen, who drove away from the scene.
This sentence sends a stern message about the consequences of violent crime in Texas, where law enforcement remains vigilant against such criminal activities.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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