FBI Los Angeles
Public Affairs Specialist Laura Eimiller
(310) 996-3343
August 11, 2023

On the Eve of the Day Marking 20 Years Since an American Boy was Kidnapped in Mexico City, the FBI Releases New Age-Enhanced Photo and Offers Reward

The FBI is offering a reward of $20,000 in exchange for information leading to the recovery of Joshua Keshaba Sierra Garcia, an American citizen, who was kidnapped in Mexico City 20 years ago tomorrow.

Joshua, now 21, is a Hispanic male born in Los Angeles who was visiting Mexico City when he was kidnapped and last seen at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the morning of August 12th, 2003.

Joshua is further described as having black hair and brown eyes. He was 3”0' tall and between 25-28 pounds at the time of his disappearance. He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, blue shorts and sandals. He has pierced ears.

“While many investigative steps have been taken to find Joshua over the years in both the United States and in Mexico, we have not given up hope that we can find him and determine what happened to him 20 years ago,” said Donald Alway, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “I’m hopeful that the reward offer, a new photograph, as well additional investigative techniques, will bring someone forward with that piece of information that will lead to Joshua and help us solve this case for his family.”

At the time of the kidnapping, Joshua was in the custody of relatives who had traveled to Mexico City to have him baptized. During the kidnapping, Joshua’s 14-year-old babysitter was murdered. After a series of ransom calls, a money drop resulted in the arrest of one kidnapper by Mexican law enforcement authorities who is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence in Mexico. Joshua has never been found.

An updated age-progression photo has been added to the poster for Joshua at fbi.gov and can be found here in English and in Spanish: JoshuaKeshaSierraGarciaPoster

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI and Mexican law enforcement authorities.

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office at (310) 477-6565. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to tips.fbi.gov.

You may also contact your local FBI office, or anyone located overseas can contact the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.

Joshua Keshaba Sierra Garcia age-enhanced photograph