SAN JUAN, PR—Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Juan Field Office, announced the arrest of Iris Janette Nieves Rios (NIEVES RIOS) and Junio Melo (MELO).

Nieves Rios and Melo were charged under a Complaint with violations of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1201 (Kidnapping) and 8 U.S.C. § 1324 (Bringing in and harboring certain aliens) which took place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on August 5th, 2023.

The subjects were arrested by FBI Special Agents on Monday, August 7th, 2023, and are currently awaiting their initial hearing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney, Jonathan Gottfried, and Linet Suarez and is being investigated by the FBI San Juan Field Office’s Violent Crimes and Major Offenders Squad.

The FBI would like to thank the Police of Puerto Rico Bureau for their assistance with this investigation.

Tips and information assist the FBI and its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Citizens with information are asked to contact the FBI San Juan Field Office at 787-987-6500, or to submit tips through the FBI’s Internet complaint portal at Tips.FBI.gov.

Tipsters may remain anonymous.

The public is reminded a Complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty by a court of law. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.