San Antonio Man Nabbed in Mexico for Kidnapping

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Ismail Khaleel Al Gebory, 36, of San Antonio, is facing federal charges after a brazen act of international parental kidnapping. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Kenneth Magidson, announced Al Gebory’s arrest following a frantic search spanning the border.

Al Gebory was apprehended in Mexico City, Mexico, on February 24, 2017. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Milloy in Houston today, facing charges related to the abduction of his child. The details paint a picture of a calculated flight, designed to potentially spirit the child away permanently.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Brownsville, the kidnapping occurred after a routine weekend visitation. Al Gebory had been granted regular visitation rights with the child, traveling from San Antonio to Brownsville each Friday and returning the child to the mother on Sunday. However, on February 17th, he picked up the child but never brought her back, immediately raising red flags.

The mother, who held sole custody of the child, quickly contacted authorities, informing them that Al Gebory had family connections in Iraq. Investigators soon discovered that while in Mexico, Al Gebory had allegedly attempted to secure an Iraqi passport for the minor, suggesting a plan to relocate the child outside of U.S. jurisdiction and potentially beyond the reach of American law enforcement. This wasn’t a simple custody dispute; it was a deliberate attempt to vanish.

Fortunately, the child was recovered at the time of Al Gebory’s arrest and has since been safely returned to the mother. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI, the Department of State, the Brownsville Police Department, and Mexican Customs, demonstrating the importance of international cooperation in these cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Esquivel Jr. is leading the prosecution.

It’s crucial to remember that a criminal complaint is merely a formal accusation. Ismail Khaleel Al Gebory is presumed innocent until proven guilty through due process of law. However, the charges are serious, and if convicted, he faces significant penalties for depriving a mother of her child and attempting to circumvent the legal system. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it develops.

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