Texas woman sentenced for hostage-taking, extortion in smuggling stash house case investigated by ICE El Paso

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An El Paso, Texas, woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in a hostage-taking conspiracy involving the forcible detention and extortion of the victims. The defendant was involved in the hostage-taking conspiracy while serving a term of federal supervised release for a prior alien smuggling conviction.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case with the assistance from the Otero (New Mexico) County Sheriff’s Department.

“This case reveals a disturbing pattern of criminal organizations taking illegal aliens hostage, holding them for ransom, and terrorizing their families until payment is made, and HSI will continue to pursue those responsible,” said Jason T. Stevens, special agent in charge of HSI El Paso.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on April 4, 2024, agents from HSI and Border Patrol responded to a tip from the Otero County Sheriff’s Department regarding individuals being held against their will at an alien smuggling stash house in Chaparral, New Mexico. The joint investigation led law enforcement to the residence where 10 illegal aliens, including three juveniles, were discovered being detained under inhumane conditions, without sufficient food and water.

During the subsequent investigation, agents determined that Valerie Perez, 22, and her coconspirator, Diana Perez, were responsible for detaining the victims. The victims were threatened with physical harm and told they were not allowed to leave. Family members of the victims were contacted and coerced into sending money for the victims’ release.

Valerie Perez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit hostage taking, admitting that she participated in detaining illegal aliens, threatening them with harm, and extorting money from their families and friends in exchange for their release. At the time of this offense, Perez was on supervised release following a prior conviction for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, for which she had been sentenced to one year and one day in prison followed by two years of supervised release.

Upon her release from prison, Valerie Perez will be subject to three years of supervised release. Diana Perez remains in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyson Hehr is prosecuting this case.