An El Paso man, part of a transnational criminal organization, has been sentenced to just under 20 years in prison for his role in a hostage-taking scheme. The Department of Justice announced that Luis Edward Castro, 28, received a 235-month sentence following a guilty plea on charges related to the abduction of a man from Juarez, Mexico, in August 2023. According to Court documents cited by the Department of Justice, the victim was kidnapped at gunpoint and held for nearly two weeks while his family was extorted for about $9,000.
Castro, affiliated with "La Empresa," was found to have used a handgun to forcefully take and then record proof-of-life videos, which were sent to ensure the family would pay for the victim's release. The FBI and U.S. Border Patrol, employing investigative techniques, linked Castro to the crime and subsequently uncovered six undocumented noncitizens along with multiple firearms at his residence. Castro was arrested on the same day the hostage was released.
In her comments on the sentencing, Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman pointed out the broader implications of such criminal activities. "This case highlights some of the many dangers posed by TCOs on both sides of our southern border, and Castro’s sentencing of two decades in federal prison is a significant penalty," Leachman said. The role of federal agencies was crucial, as she added, "I am thankful for our partners at the FBI and U.S. Border Patrol, whose investigative skill and expertise led to the recovery of these kidnapping victims and the outcome of this case."
Charged initially with multiple offenses, Castro pleaded guilty specifically to the hostage-taking charge in September of 2024. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mathew Engelbaum and Kyle Myers.
