FBI Seeking Information in Kidnapping of U.S. Citizen

BROWNSVILLE, TX—Armando Fernandez, Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Division of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), whose territory includes Brownsville, Texas, announced today that the FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the person(s) responsible for the kidnapping of Armando Torres, III in La Barranca, Tamaulipas, Mexico, on May 14, 2013.

As reported in the national and international news services, the FBI and Mexican law enforcement agencies have been investigating the May 14, 2013 kidnapping in La Barranca, Tamaulipas, Mexico, of U.S. citizen Armando Torres, III, as well as of his father Armando Torres, II and his uncle Salvador Torres, both of whom are Mexican citizens. Armando Torres, III is a U.S. Marine in the Individual Ready Reserve and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On May 14, 2013, Armando Torres, III drove across the International Port of Entry Bridge at Progresso, Texas, to visit his father’s ranch in La Barranca, Tamaulipas, which is located near the International Port of Entry Bridge at Los Indios, Texas. Shortly after he arrived at the ranch, armed gunmen entered the ranch and took all three Torres family members by force. They have not been seen or heard from since this event.

In addition to the Mexican criminal investigation, the FBI has opened a concurrent international kidnapping investigation and is vigorously pursuing all investigative leads.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is requested to contact the FBI-Brownsville Resident Agency Office at telephone number 956-546-6922.