Man Gets 31 Years In Drop House Case

POSTED: 2:20 pm MST April 15, 2008
UPDATED: 3:38 pm MST April 15, 2008

PHOENIX -- A 34-year-old man is sentenced to 31 years in prison for his participation in a violent drop house, County Attorney Andrew Thomas says.

READ: 9/21/07 - Deputy Discovers Suspected Drop House On His Block



Arturo Nevarez-Ugarte was found guilty on March 12 of two counts of armed robbery, two counts of theft by extortion and two counts of kidnapping.

Thomas said Nevarez-Ugarte, along with several other human smugglers, participated in the kidnapping, extortion and armed robbery of approximately 17 victims in a drop house at 1720 N. 94th Drive in Phoenix.

After several hours, the victims managed to fight their way out of the house and fled into the surrounding neighborhood looking for help.

Nevarez-Ugarte was arrested later the same day after being identified by the victims.

The Illegal Immigration Prevention and Apprehension Co-op Team, known as IIMPACT, conducted the investigation.
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