Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - A 16-month-old child taken by his non-custodial mother during an unsupervised visit was safely located in Mexico, authorities recently said.
Miguel Eduardo Zuniga Medina was found last week and safely returned to the United States. Mother Bridget Benitez, 31, was also found in Aguascalientes, Mexico. She has since been deported, according to the FBI. A Federal arrest warrant was issued for Benitez who is accused of taking her baby after an unsupervised visit February 6. Benitez crossed the border at Otay Mesa March 6. The child was placed into the care of a foster parent by the Department of Child and Family Services. “A federal arrest warrant for Benitez was obtained on Thursday, March 7, after she was charged with international parental kidnapping in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. The complaint alleges that Benitez intentionally obstructed the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), who holds legal and physical custody of Medina, Jr.,” according to the FBI in a written statement. The child’s father, Miguel Eduardo Medina Zuniga, Sr., is the non-custodial father and is believed to be living in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Medina was arrested last year, accused of a domestic violence incident and apparently has a history of violent altercations in the presence of children, according to a juvenile dependency petition filed in Los Angeles County. Following last year’s arrest, the child was placed in the custody of DCFS, according to the FBI. “The Superior Court in Los Angeles County found that it was necessary to remove Medina, Jr. from his parents for his own health, safety, and well-being. Benitez and Medina, Sr. have also been charged in Superior Court in Los Angeles County,” according to the FBI. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - A Federal arrest warrant has been issued for a non-custodial mother accused of taking her baby after an unsupervised visit February 6.
Bridget Benitez, 31, was confirmed to have crossed the border at Otay Mesa March 6. She was last seen with her biological son, Miguel Eduardo Zuniga Medina, who is 16 months, according to the FBI. The child was placed into the care of a foster parent by the Department of Child and Family Services. Benitez and the baby were last seen in a black 2021 Toyota Camry with California license plate 8WAS968, according to the FBI. Benitez may have taken the baby to Aguascalientes, Mexico. “A federal arrest warrant for Benitez was obtained on Thursday, March 7, after she was charged with international parental kidnapping in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. The complaint alleges that Benitez intentionally obstructed the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), who holds legal and physical custody of Medina, Jr.,” according to the FBI in a written statement. The child’s father, Miguel Eduardo Medina Zuniga, Sr., is the non-custodial father and is believed to be living in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Medina was arrested last year, accused of a domestic violence incident and apparently has a history of violent altercations in the presence of children, according to a juvenile dependency petition filed in Los Angeles County. Following last year’s arrest, the child was placed in the custody of DCFS, according to the FBI. “The Superior Court in Los Angeles County found that it was necessary to remove Medina, Jr. from his parents for his own health, safety, and well-being. Benitez and Medina, Sr. have also been charged in Superior Court in Los Angeles County,” according to the FBI. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Benitez is asked to call their local FBI office or nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Information may also be provided at www.tips.fbi.gov. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - A Pasadena man who pleaded guilty late last year to conspiracy to kidnap was sentenced for his part in a plot that ended with a victim’s body being unearthed months after the victim was kidnapped.
Anthony Valladares, 29, was sentenced to 195 months in federal prison. Hired as the “muscle,” Valadares was one of four men directly involved in the kidnapping of Ruochen “Tony” Liao in San Gabriel. Liao was beaten, restrained and held for a $2 million ransom that was demanded from his parents, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. U.S. District Judge Fernando Olguin also ordered Valladares to pay $33,090 in restitution. Valladares pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to kidnap October 2020. Liao met with Chinese national Peicheng Shen, 35. The latter used an alias several times while communicating with Liao, pretending to help him settle a debt. During a third meeting, Shen met Liao at a San Gabriel shopping center July 16, 2018 and lured him into a van, according to court documents. Valladares was hiding in the van. Shen uttered a word to the “muscle,” who helped to beat shocked with a stun gun, restrained with zip ties and covered with a black hood, according to court documents. “Valladares admitted to helping Yang acquire the taser used in the kidnapping and admitted to acquiring a revolver and bullets for the kidnapping,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a written statement. Alexis Ivan Romero Velez, a 25-year-old Azusa man, was hired by Valladares. Velez drove the van to a house in Rosemead where Liao was placed into another vehicle. Shen and another co-conspirator, Chinese national Guangyao Yang, 28, took Liao to a home in Corona where his legs and arms were restrained and his eyes taped shut. He was then confined to a closet, according to court documents. “The day after the kidnapping, the victim’s father received a demand for a $2 million ransom in exchange for the victim’s life, with the money to be deposited into three Chinese bank accounts within three hours,’ according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a written statement. Valladares was apparently not present when Liao was killed. Investigators learned of Yang’s Internet search history, which included discovering how long it takes for a body to decompose in soil. The closet where Liao was confined was also re-carpeted, according to court documents. Liao’s body was eventually disposed of in Mojave, California. His skeletal remains were eventually discovered by a hiker June 12, 2019 in the area of Cache Creek Road and Highway 58. The manner of death is undetermined, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Section. Shen and Yang, who previously resided in West Covina, were both arrested in China, held on charges related to the kidnapping. Velez pleaded guilty in September 2019 to one count of conspiracy to kidnap. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, November 10. The FBI conducted this investigation with help from the FBI’s Safe Street Task Force, which includes the Pasadena Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Julia S. Choe and Frances S. Lewis, both of the General Crimes Section, prosecuted this case. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - One of the suspects accused of helping to kidnap a Santa Ana business owner who wound up dead after his father was extorted of $2 million pleaded guilty today.
28-year-old Anthony Valladares pleaded to a single-count of conspiracy to kidnap. In his plea deal, he admitted to conspiring with Chinese nationals and an Azusa man to violently abduct Ruochen “Tony” Liao from a San Gabriel parking lot July 16, 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Valladares admitted to obtaining a gun, ammunition and a stun gun used in the kidnapping and beating. Valladares previously admitted to being paid $1,000 for the job. Liao’s skeletized remains were eventually discovered by a hiker June 12, 2019 near Mojave in the area of Cache Creek Road and Highway 58. The manner of death is undetermined, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Section. Liao met with 34-year-old suspect Peicheng Shen, who used an alias at the time of the meeting. The latter lured Liao into a trap, promising him to help collect a debt from another person, according to Valladares’ plea agreement. Liao was kidnapped in San Gabriel during a third meeting with Shen. He was lured to a minivan where Valladares was hiding. Valladares was the hired muscle used to intimidate, subdue and beat Liao who was driven away by Azusa man Alexis Ivan Romero Velez, 24. “Liao entered the minivan and spoke in Chinese with Shen, who used a specific word to signal Valladares to begin attacking the victim. Once Shen uttered the word, Valladares and Shen violently assaulted Liao, used a taser to subdue him, and ultimately bound and restrained him with a black hood and ties,” according to the plea agreement. Velez was recruited by Valladares, court papers stated. Once taken to Rosemead, Liao was then transported in another vehicle by Shen and Guangyao Yang, 27, to a home in Corona where Liao was stuffed in a closet. His legs were bound, his eyes taped shut and his arms restrained behind him, court papers stated. Liao’s father received a ransom demand for $2 million one day after the kidnapping. The father received “proof of life” images of his son bound and restrained in the closet, court papers stated. Liao died while restrained in Corona by Shen and Yang. Valladares was apparently not present, court papers stated. Investigators believe Liao died July 17, 2018. The Following day, his body was likely disposed of. Investigators found their way to the Corona home. The closet where Liao was held captive received new carpeting. Internet searches conducted by Yang sought information on how long a human body decomposes in soil, court papers stated. Shen and Yang fled to China, but were eventually captured and are still being held by Chinese authorities on charges related to the case. Shen and Yang were charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, attempted extortion in violation of the Hobbs Act and threat by foreign communication, investigators said. Romero Pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to kidnapping. He is scheduled to be sentenced February 4, 2021. Valladares is scheduled for a February 18, 2021 hearing and may face a maximum statutory sentence of life in federal prison. The prosecution and defense agreed that a sentence of 12 years, but no more than 25 is an appropriate sentence. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION – Federal investigators announced the arrest of a Pasadena man and a recent Azusa resident for their alleged involvement in a ransom plot that ended with the victim being buried in the desert after being beaten to death.
Pasadena man Anthony Valladares, 28, and Alexis Ivan Romero Velez, 24, a recent Azusa resident, were arrested July 14 with the execution of search warrants by the FBI and the San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the US Attorney’s Office said. Prosecutors allege Valladares was the hired muscle used to subdue, intimidate and beat Rouchen “Tony” Liao, 29. Velez was the driver, according to an affidavit. “According to the affidavit, Valladares admitted that he was hired to assist in the kidnapping, agreed to accept $1,000 for the job, and restrained Liao during the kidnapping. Romero admitted, according to the affidavit, that he was recruited by Valladares and was the driver during the kidnapping,” according to the Department of Justice in a written statement. Valladares and Velez allegedly worked with two Chinese nationals who fled the country after the killing. Guangyao Yang, 26, and Peicheng Shen, 34, were charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, attempted extortion in violation of the Hobbs Act and threat by foreign communication, investigators said. Yang and Shen, who last lived in West Covina before they fled, were captured and are being held by Chinese authorities. Liao, a Santa Ana resident, was kidnapped July 16, 2018 in San Gabriel by three men and forced into a dark-colored Toyota Sienna minivan, which was followed by two suspects in a Range Rover SUV. The kidnapping occurred around 7:30 p.m. at San Gabriel Square, 140 W. Valley Blvd. Liao was possibly coaxed to the area on the premise of conducted a business deal, the FBI said. After Liao was kidnapped and taken to a Corona home, demands were made to deposit $2 million within three hours to several Chinese accounts. Liao’s father also received “proof-of-life” photos of his son physically retained in a closet: his arms bound behind him, his legs bound together and his eyes taped shut, investigators said. No more demands were made and nothing was ever heard from the captors again. Investigators believe Liao died July 17, 2018. The Following day, Yang and Shen allegedly drove to the Mojave Desert to dispose of Liao’s body. An internet search connected to Yang revealed efforts to learn how fast a body decomposes in soil. Shen apparently had the closet where Liao was held re-carpeted, investigators said. Liao’s remains were discovered by a hiker June 12, 2019 near Mojave in the area of Cache Creek Road and Highway 58. The manner of death is undetermined. Liao’s remains were identified by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Section. The kidnapping charge carries a statutory maximum penalty of life in federal prison. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION - A man was rescued in April, but two others weren’t so lucky in a kidnapping and ransom plot involving a former Colton resident and her boyfriend. Leslie Briana Matla, 20, and Juan Carlos Montoya Sanchez, 25, were arrested last week on a federal criminal complaint alleging the couple collected ransom money in a kidnapping conspiracy where US citizens were held captive in Mexico, according to the Justice Department. The criminal complaint charges Matla and Sanchez with one count of money laundering and conspiracy. On March 28, April 13 and April 22, three men – residents of San Diego, Norwalk and Pasadena – were kidnapped in Tijuana while on business or visiting family. A suspect using a Mexican telephone number called the victims’ families and were told to deposit ransom money at a specific location, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Matla, a current Mexican resident, Would venture into the US to pick up ransom payments placed by the kidnapped victims’ family members at locations chosen by her co-conspirators, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Mexican authorities found the San Diego victim’s body March 29 after the victim’s adult son placed a bag containing $25,000 inside the women’s restroom of a McDonald’s restaurant in San Ysidro, The U.S. Attorney’s Office said. The Norwalk victim’s body was found in Mexico April 14 after the victim’s family tried, but failed to pay a $25,000 ransom to a woman whom law enforcement believes was Matla, at a Lowe’s parking lot in Norwalk, according to court documents. A Pasadena woman alerted authorities April 22 that her family member was being held captive in Mexico and that a suspect demanded a ransom of $20,000 be left in a Food 4 Less parking lot in Lynnwood. A pregnant woman was to pick up the cash.
The relative of the Pasadena woman was rescued that day from a Tijuana hotel - the same hotel where the two other victims met their fate, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Cell phone records helped authorities to discover that all three victims have been held at the same motel. Nine suspects were arrested at the hotel. US border crossing records, surveillance footage from the ransom drop off points and social media messages helped identify Matla. Sanchez also received Wire transfers from two of the kidnapping victims, according US Attorney’s Office said. Both suspects face a possible maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted as charged. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MOJAVE - The remains of a man kidnapped by two Chinese nationals in San Gabriel were identified recently. Rouchen “Tony” Liao, 29, was identified by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Section. Liao’s remains were discovered by a hiker near Mojave in the area of Cache Creek Road and Highway 58 June 12. The manner of death is undetermined. Liao, a Santa Ana resident, was kidnapped July 16, 2018 in San Gabriel by three men and forced into a dark-colored Toyota Sienna minivan, which was followed by two suspects in a Range Rover SUV. The kidnapping occurred around 7:30 p.m. at San Gabriel Square, 140 W. Valley Blvd. Liao was possibly coaxed to the area on the premise of conducted a business deal, the FBI said. One of the three suspects was seen by witnesses to the kidnapping and was referred to as “David,” the FBI said. The U.S. Department of Justice announced in February 2019 that two Chinese nationals were indicted in Liao’s kidnapping. Guangyao Yang, 25, and Peicheng Shen, 33, were charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, attempted extortion in violation of the Hobbs Act and threat by foreign communication, the DOJ said. After Liao was kidnapped and taken to a Corona home, demands were made to deposit $2 million within three hours to several Chinese accounts. Lio’s father also received photos of his son physically retained in a closet: his arms bound behind him, his legs bound together and his eyes taped shut, investigators said. No more demands were made and nothing was ever heard from the captors again. Investigators learned Yang and Shen drove to the Mojave Desert to possibly dispose of Liao’s body two days after the kidnapping. An internet search connected to Yang revealed efforts to learn how fast a body decomposes in soil. Shen apparently had the closet where Liao was held re-carpeted, investigators said. Yang and Shen possibly fled to China. Anyone with information leading to the suspects is urged to call the FBI Los Angeles Field Office at 310-477-6565. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION - Detectives investigating the assault and disappearance of a Monrovia woman pieced together the suspect’s movements in the hours since her July 29 disappearance. Amanda Kathleen Custer, 31, was seen by witnesses as her reportedly lifeless body was placed into the rear hatch of a grey Prius, allegedly at the hands of Robert Anthony Camou, 27. Before Camou was seen in Claremont northbound towards the San Gabriel Mountains, he stopped at Del Taco, 1834 E. Route 66, in Glendora at 8:32 a.m. Five minutes later, Camou bought cigarettes from a Shell Gas Station, 1860 E. Route 66, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau. Camou was tracked by the ankle monitor he was required to wear as part of a domestic violence case involving Custer. The Prius headed east through Claremont at 8:56 a.m. through Baseline Road and Padua Avenue. Camou stopped at an AMPM in the 3800 block of Sierra Avenue just before 9 a.m. near Lytle Creek. Nearly 30 minutes later, he headed south on the 15 freeway, but detectives lost track of Camou’s movements.
“After this point, there is a five-hour gap in time, where the location of Robert Camou and Amanda Custer is unknown,” detectives said. At 2:40 p.m., Camou visited a Chase Bank ATM in Azusa -- about five hours after detectives lost track of him after he removed the ankle monitor. Detectives have expanded their search, which focused on the Glendora Ridge Road/Mt. Baldy Road and Lytle Creek areas, to include the Azusa canyons. "This is basically a plea to anybody one out there, especially on Monday, the 29th of July that was hiking or fishing or mountain biking that might of seen anything out of the ordinary. It might not have seemed important at that time, but it does now,” said Custer’s father, Rick Custer. Camou is being held without bail in an unrelated domestic violence, burglary and assault case. Anyone with information on Custer’s whereabouts is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously by calling L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION - Homicide Investigators believe the suspect seen allegedly kidnapping his girlfriend July 29 from her Monrovia home may have driven to the mountains above Claremont just hours after a domestic attack. The suspect, 27-year-old Robert Anthony Camou, was witnessed taking Amanda Custer, 31, from her Monrovia home around 8:15 a.m. July 29. Sheriff’s Homicide detectives state Camou’s 2017 four-door Toyota Prius was seen north on Padua Road in Claremont heading to Mt. Baldy. “Anyone on or off road, in the area of Mount Baldy (Mount Baldy Road, Glendora Ridge Road, Glendora Mountain Road) on Monday July 29, 2019, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., that observed suspect Camou, victim Custer and/or the Toyota Prius, are encouraged to contact Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. Police entered the home where the attack occurred July 29 and reportedly found blood inside. Camou was found around 2:45 a.m. the following day, sleeping in his Prius parked at South Hill Street and West Second Street in Downtown Los Angeles. He was arrested after an hours-long standoff -- Custer was nowhere to be found. Camou is being held without bail on unrelated burglary and domestic violence charges, the Sheriff’s Department said.
In a bizarre twist, a video surfaced of Camou rapping at an L.A. club. In the song, Camou spoke of killing a woman and burying her in dirt. He mentioned police were looking for him before exiting off screen. “Although the extent of Victim Custer’s injuries are unknown, Homicide Detectives believe she may be in grave danger,” the Sheriff’s Department said. Anyone who has seen Custer or knows her whereabouts is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously by calling L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION - The U.S. Department of Justice announced two Chinese nationals have been indicted in the $2 million ransom plot involving the kidnapping and possible murder of a Santa Ana man. Guangyao Yang, 25, and Peicheng Shen, 33, have been charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, attempted extortion in violation of the Hobbs Act and threat by foreign communication, the DOJ said. “Tony” Rouchen Liao, 28, was abducted by three men in San Gabriel July 16, 2018. He was taken in a dark-colored Toyota Sienna minivan. The minivan was followed by two suspects in a Range Rover SUV. The captors demanded $2 million in exchange for Liao’s return, according to the FBI Los Angeles Field Office.
The kidnapping occurred around 7:30 p.m. at San Gabriel Square, 140 W. Valley Blvd. Liao was potentially coaxed there on the premise of collecting a debt, investigators said. Shen was one of the suspects seen taking Liao from the San Gabriel Shopping Center, investigators said. Liao, a Chinese national who operated a Costa Mesa luxury car dealership, is believed to be dead. After Liao was kidnapped and taken to a Corona home, demands were made to deposit $2 million within three hours to several Chinese accounts. Lio’s father also received photos of his son physically retained in a closet: his arms bound behind him, his legs bound together and his eyes taped shut, investigators said. No more demands were made and nothing was ever heard from the captors again. Investigators learned Yang and Shen drove to the Mojave Desert to possibly dispose of Liao’s body two days after the kidnapping. An internet search connected to Yang revealed efforts to learn how fast a body decomposes in soil. Shen apparently had the closet where Liao was held re-carpeted, investigators said. One of the three suspects was seen by witnesses to the kidnapping and was referred to as “David,” the FBI said. An attorney for the Liao family has offered a $150,000 reward for information leading to Liao’s safe return, on top of a $25,000 reward offered by the FBI. Anyone with information leading to the suspects or Liao is urged to call the FBI Los Angeles Field Office at 310-477-6565. |
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