NEW YORK (1010 WINS/ WCBS 880 NEWS) – Two men were charged last week for allegedly kidnapping a New Jersey resident in November, according to prosecutors.
On Nov. 15, 2023, Julio Cesar Paniagua, 27, and Joel Ramon Garcia, 33, allegedly kidnapped the victim, whose name has not been released, in Paterson, according to the indictment.
Both suspects allegedly had guns on them during the kidnapping.
They then drove the victim to Massachusetts, where they held the victim for ransom.
Paniagua and Garcia allegedly called the victim's father and threatened to cut it off if he didn't pay them. They demanded a ransom of $30,000.
FBI agents were able to locate the victim's phone from their cell phone carrier and found the location of the suspects and the victim two days later.
Paniagua was charged with one count of kidnapping on Dec. 21, 2023.
Garcia, 33, was charged with one count of kidnapping on Nov. 20, 2023.
The charge of kidnapping carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
