HOUSTON, TEXAS – MAY 2024
A federal jury in Houston has convicted Samuel Castro-Flores, a 41-year-old Mexican national, also known as “Chame” or “Chamuco,” of 18 counts including conspiracy to commit hostage taking, hostage taking, and other charges.
The charges stem from an investigation that began in mid-August 2012, when two illegal aliens were smuggled into the country and their family members received extortion calls demanding money for their release.
On September 7, 2012, agents executed a search warrant at a residence on Amblewood Drive in Houston and encountered 26 illegal aliens, at least two of whom were juveniles, being held hostage inside the residence. The victims reported being held in deplorable conditions, guarded by men constantly armed with a handgun.
The evidence at trial showed Castro-Flores was the leader of the organization that held the aliens hostage and extorted their families for thousands of dollars before their release. He took extensive steps to avoid detection by law enforcement, including asking witnesses to present a false story.
Castro-Flores has a prior conviction for conspiracy to harbor aliens in the Southern District of Texas in July 2009 and was deported in January 2011. He re-entered the United States after his deportation and was arrested in this case on December 5, 2012, in Houston.
Castro-Flores was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit hostage taking, five counts of hostage taking, one count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens, five counts of harboring illegal aliens, one count of being an alien illegally present in the U.S., one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, two counts of transportation of illegal aliens, as well as using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime and brandishing that firearm.
U.S. District Judge Gray Miller has set sentencing for June 28, 2014. Castro-Flores faces up to life in prison for each of the hostage taking counts, up to 20 years for the illegal entry after deportation, and up to 10 years for each of the alien harboring and transporting counts. He also faces up to seven years to life in prison for the firearms charges, which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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