A 24-year-old man from Federal Way, Washington, is set to appear in the U.S. District Court in Seattle yesterday after being indicted on charges of kidnapping, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Daniel Lopez, the man in question, awaits trial following the grand jury's indictment earlier this month. According to a statement from U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman, Lopez was arrested in Texas after initially facing charges in King County Superior Court related to the alleged abduction of an Auburn, Washington woman on October 13.
The case unfolded when the victim's husband reported her missing the following day, her personal items left behind within their home; two witnesses claimed seeing the woman forced out by two men, Daniel Lopez allegedly one among them, wielding a gun, although what would become clear later is that Lopez's journey would span from that quiet apartment complex parking lot—caught on a simple surveillance camera—to an eventual holdup in a Houston hotel where law enforcement would home in on Lopez's vehicle, thanks to traffic camera images snagging that crucial license plate information, according to U.S. Attorney's Office.
Law enforcement located the abducted woman in southern Mexico. The investigation continues as authorities look for any other individuals involved in the transnational abduction.
The kidnapping charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Despite his indictment, Lopez maintains his presumption of innocence, which is fundamental in our legal system. As the Justice Department states, "A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Officers from the Auburn Police Department and the FBI are continuing their investigation into the event. Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg will handle the prosecution during the upcoming court proceedings.
