Two Men Charged in Connection with Kidnapping of New Jersey Resident

NEWARK, N.J. – Two men have been charged in connection with their respective roles in an armed kidnapping for ransom of a Paterson, New Jersey, resident, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Julio Cesar Paniagua, 27, is charged by complaint with one count of kidnapping.  Paniagua appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court and was detained.

Joel Ramon Garcia, 33, was previously charged by complaint with one count of kidnapping. Following his arrest on Nov. 20, 2023, Garcia made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court and was detained.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

 On Nov. 15, 2023, Paniagua and Garcia kidnapped the victim in Paterson and then drove the victim to Massachusetts, where they held the victim for ransom. During the kidnapping, Paniagua and Garcia both brandished firearms. Shortly after the kidnapping, the kidnappers contacted the victim’s father and threatened that the victim’s fingers would be cut off if the ransom was not paid. The kidnappers ultimately released the victim on Nov. 17, 2023.

The charge of kidnapping carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited members of the FBI’s New Jersey field office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked members of the FBI’s Boston field office under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen; the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Officer in Charge Isa M. Abbassi; members of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik; members of the Clifton Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi; members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Mark Musella; and members of the Cedar Grove Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief John J. Kennedy, for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Maloy of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.