Mexican man pleads guilty in south Texas to kidnapping for ransom

MCALLEN, Texas — A Mexican man pleaded guilty plea Wednesday to kidnapping, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas. 

This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of McAllen Police Department. 

Martin Margarito-Casimiro, 28, of Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, pleaded guilty to kidnapping on May 27.

According to court documents, on Jan. 22, 2015, law enforcement responded to a man’s cry for help as he ran down the street with rope still tied around his arms and legs. That victim led law enforcement to the McAllen residence where he had been held. There, law enforcement found another victim with his arms and legs bound. At that time, law enforcement discovered Margarito-Casimiro and others who were attempting to flee.

During court on Wednesday, Margarito-Casimiro admitted he held at least one victim at gunpoint for ransom and directed co-conspirators to tie the victim’s hands and feet. The victim was told he needed to pay in order to be released.

Margarito-Casimiro could face up to life in prison. He is set to be sentenced Aug. 20 before U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez. He will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Kristen Rees and Leo J. Leo, Southern District of Texas, are prosecuting this case.