Last week, a federal grand jury in Tucson returned an eight-count indictment against Mexican Nationals Olegario Lares-De La Rosa, 29, and Ivan Heriberto Borboa-Ruiz, 28, for Conspiracy to Commit Hostage Taking, Hostage Taking, Conspiracy to Commit Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit, Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit, and Prohibited Possessors of Firearms and Ammunition.

The indictment alleges that from a date unknown until April 8, 2022, Lares-De La Rosa and Borboa-Ruiz conspired together to detain two undocumented noncitizens in order to compel family members to pay money as a condition for their release. The initial complaint further alleges that a relative of the undocumented noncitizens was contacted by a male who said they would be held until $8,000 per person was paid in cash. The undocumented noncitizens were released after payment was made at a Home Depot parking lot. Lares-De La Rosa and Borboa-Ruiz were later arrested and found in possession of firearms.

A conviction for the crime of Conspiracy to Commit Hostage Taking carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. The remaining charges each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, or both.

An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.