3 face federal charges in bizarre South Florida kidnapping plot

2024-12-26 12:53:25 source:lotradecoin app category:reviews

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Two brothers and another man are facing federal charges following a kidnapping that took some bizarre twists, including an attempted waterboarding when they tried to make the victim help them lure the intended target, federal officials said Tuesday.

The suspects kidnapped the man at gunpoint outside his apartment in Plantation, Florida, on Oct. 13, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court. They tossed his cellphone out of the car as they drove to a home, where they took him inside.

Eventually, they learned they had the wrong person, mistaking him for his coworker, who was the intended target. He told police the men threatened him, put an electric drill to his skin and pointed a firearm at him, before dousing him with water in what prosecutors said was a simulated waterboarding. The victim told them he thought he was going to drown.

The men began brainstorming how the victim could help lure the coworker to them, authorities said. They provided him with a cellphone and were able to access his iCloud account to find the coworker’s phone number, and call him, authorities said.

Other news Republicans in Nevada are split in dueling contest over 2024 presidential nomination Georgia deputy shoots, kills Black man who spent 16 years in prison on wrongful conviction Stoneman Douglas High shooting site visited one last time by lawmakers and educators

When they learned that man was still at a business in Pompano Beach, Florida, they drove the victim there and asked him to get the coworker to come outside, the complaint said.

Instead, at 2:08 a.m. on Oct. 14, the man phoned in a bomb threat in an effort to get a rapid police response to the building, the complaint said.

The suspects were arrested by law enforcement and remained jailed Tuesday in Broward County, Florida.

On Monday, Jeffrey Arista, 32, and Jonathan Arista, 29, had their initial appearances in federal court in Miami. The third suspect, 33-year-old Raymond Gomez, has not yet appeared in court.

Lawyers for the Arista brothers did not immediately respond Tuesday to emails seeking comment. No lawyer was listed for Gomez in court records, and a phone number for him was not available.

The three face a maximum life prison sentence if convicted.

More:reviews

Recommend

Taxpayers could get $500 'inflation refund' checks under New York proposal: What to know

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a proposal to send checks up to $500 back to taxpayers to addre

Remains of former Chinese premier Li Keqiang to be cremated and flags to be lowered

BEIJING (AP) — The remains of former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang are to be cremated on Thursday, with

Savings accounts now pay serious interest, but most of us aren't claiming it, survey finds

For the first time in years, banks are offering savings accounts that pay serious interest. But cons