Southern California

4 SoCal Men Charged With Kidnapping Illegal Immigrants for Ransom

Federal authorities said the defendants extorted money from the families of abducted illegal immigrants. A fifth suspect remains at large.
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4 SoCal Men Charged With Kidnapping Illegal Immigrants for Ransom
One of the California men who face federal charges for allegedly kidnapping illegal immigrants reportedly attacked a hostage after he tried to escape in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles on March 22, 2023. Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office
Jill McLaughlin
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Federal authorities have arrested and charged four Southern California men for kidnapping illegal immigrants and demanding that their families pay cash in exchange for their safe return, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles announced Sept. 9.

A fifth suspect, Gabriel Michel Becerra, 22, of Palmdale is still at large.

Jill McLaughlin
Jill McLaughlin
Author
Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.