San Antonio Ransom Plot: Deported Man Indicted

⏱ 2 min read

Franklin Ulises Rodriguez-Rivas, a repeat deportee, is looking at a possible life sentence after being indicted for kidnapping and holding an undocumented immigrant hostage in San Antonio, Texas. The feds allege Rodriguez-Rivas demanded ransom for the victim’s release. The case blew up after his initial arrest by San Antonio Police on February 19th for simply being back in the country illegally.

Rodriguez-Rivas had been previously deported in March 2022. Instead of a quick re-deportation, SAPD and ICE Homeland Security Investigations dug deeper, uncovering the alleged kidnapping. Details surrounding the victim, the amount of the ransom, and how long they were held remain tight-lipped. Prosecutors, however, are calling it a predatory scheme targeting vulnerable immigrants.

The indictment slams Rodriguez-Rivas with one count each of harboring illegal aliens, kidnapping, and illegal re-entry. He made his first court appearance on February 20th. A conviction on all counts could land him 10 years for the harboring and re-entry charges, plus a lifetime behind bars for the kidnapping itself.

This case is wrapped up in “Operation Take Back America,” a wider DOJ push to crack down on illegal immigration and what they deem transnational criminal organizations. The feds are painting a picture of escalating border crime and a zero-tolerance policy.

Remember: an indictment isn’t a conviction. Rodriguez-Rivas is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. But the charges – and his history – paint a grim picture.