EL PASO, Texas – Luis Lorenzo Salas, 25, of San Elizario, received a 140-month federal prison sentence for conspiracy to commit hostage taking, as determined in a federal court in El Paso.
Court records reveal that Salas managed a stash house where he held a human smuggling victim from Mexico. He produced a video showing himself masked and aiming a rifle at the victim. This video’s screenshot, alongside threatening messages demanding a $10,000 ransom, was sent to the victim’s family. Failure to pay would result in the removal of the victim’s ears and fingers, as per the threats. Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents successfully located and rescued the victim and eight other noncitizens, ensuring their safety. Salas’s arrest occurred on April 17, and he entered a guilty plea on August 29 to one count of conspiracy to commit hostage taking.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas emphasized the lasting trauma inflicted by Salas on his victims and their families. Esparza commended HSI’s efforts in safeguarding the victims and incapacitating a smuggler for a significant period.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens for the HSI El Paso Division underscored the commitment to bringing smugglers who use threats and violence for ransom to justice. He highlighted the national security risks and the dangers posed to vulnerable populations by human smuggling.
HSI spearheaded the investigation leading to Salas’s sentencing.