9 Plead Guilty to Holding 18 Illegal Immigrants for Ransom

Posted: Mar 2, 2012 6:20 PM

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MISSION - Nine people pleaded guilty Friday in connection with a scheme to hold 18 illegal immigrants for ransom in a Mission apartment.

The investigation began in September when a relative of one of the immigrants contacted authorities after receiving a ransom call. The tip led authorities to an apartment on Moorefield Road.

Illegal immigrants from Ecuador, Guatemala and Honduras had been forced to call relatives to ask for money.

Juan de Dios Cedillo-Narvaez and Luis Fernando Cedillo-Narvaez, both in the United States illegally, pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy to commit hostage taking. Seven others pleaded guilty to conspiracy to harbor illegal immigrants.

The Cedillo-Narvaez brothers face as much as life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for May 16.
KRGTV.com