Two Mexican nationals indicted for holding smuggled aliens for ransom

WICHITA, Kan. - Illegal aliens were taken hostage at gunpoint and told they'd be tortured or shot unless they raised money for a ransom, according to a federal grand jury's superseding indictment against two Mexican men. If convicted, the men face a possible sentence of life in prison without parole. Special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated this case.

“According to the indictment, the victims had their shoes, cash and personal belongings taken to keep them from fleeing,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren, District of Kansas. “They were held at gunpoint and told that if they couldn't raise money for a ransom payment they would have their fingers, hands or ears cut off - or they would be shot.”

Two Mexico citizens were charged Tuesday for their part in the conspiracy: Ramiro Alapizco-Valenzuela, 29, and Rene Cota-Beltran, 27.