Three Admit Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping

United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Antonio Zermeno Garcia entered a guilty plea in federal court in San Diego today to count one of an indictment charging him and co-defendants Luis Miguel Salas Rodriguez and Carlos Alberto Andrade-De La Cruz with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1201(c). Co-defendants Luis Miguel Salas Rodriguez and Carlos Alberto Andrade-De La Cruz previously entered guilty pleas to the same charge on April 26, 2013.

In connection with the entry of their guilty pleas, the defendants admitted that, in March 2012, they devised a plan to kidnap three individuals who owed them money for narcotics trafficking. They further admitted they planned to kidnap the individuals in San Diego, California, and transport them to Tijuana, Mexico. Defendant Andrade-De La Cruz further admitted that he was an organizer and leader of this kidnapping conspiracy and that he illegally crossed into the United States on March 14, 2012, in order to locate the first victim with the assistance of Defendants Salas Rodriguez and Zermeno Garcia.

Defendants Luis Miguel Salas Rodriguez and Carlos Alberto Andrade-De La Cruz are scheduled to appear before United States District Judge William Q. Hayes for sentencing on July 29, 2013, at 9:00 a.m.

Defendant Antonio Zermeno Garcia’s plea is subject to final acceptance by Judge Hayes at or before sentencing on August 12, 2013, at 9:00 a.m.

Defendants in Criminal Case No. 12CR1244WQH

Antonio Zermeno Garcia, age: 40

Luis Miguel Salas Rodriguez, age: 31

Carlos Alberto Andrade-De La Cruz, age: 36

Summary of Charges

Conspiracy to commit kidnapping, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 1201(c)

Maximum penalties: life in prison, $250,000 fine, $100 special assessment, five years of supervised release

Investigating Agency

Federal Bureau of Investigation-Cross Border Violence Task Force