SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On April 24, 2025, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging five individuals with conspiracy to kidnap and the attempted kidnapping of a man in Mayagüez on July 12, 2024, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico and Devin J. Kowalski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.
According to the Indictment, beginning on a date unknown, but not later than on or about May 21, 2024, to on or about July 12, 2024, defendants [1] Edilberto Aponte-Sánchez, [2] Anthony Esquilín-Guzmán, [3] Ramdy Kaleb Ocasio-Pagán, [4] Jocner Martínez-Correa, and [5] Dylan Camacho-Álvarez conspired and agreed with each other to unlawfully and willfully kidnap, abduct, or carry away and hold for ransom, reward, or otherwise, H.R.G. by using means, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce in committing or in furtherance of the commission of the offense, namely motor vehicles, messaging applications, and cellular telephones in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201(c). The defendants are also charged with the attempted kidnapping of the victim (H.R.G.) in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1201(d) and 2.
On July 12, 2024, the defendants attempted to kidnap the victim (H.R.G.) from a parking lot in Mayagüez by trying to force him into a van. The victim fought back, and the defendants fled the scene.
“I commend the tireless efforts of the FBI, Puerto Rico Police Bureau, and prosecutors in the investigation of this case,” said United States Attorney Muldrow. “This case reinforces the importance of being aware of your surroundings at all times — whether you are leaving the bank or ATM after making a withdrawal of money, putting gasoline in your car, or just walking down the street while texting on your cell phone. If you see something that doesn’t look right, trust your instincts.”
“Violence in our communities will never be tolerated,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “The FBI and our partners will relentlessly investigate those who prey on innocent people — wherever they hide, however long it takes.”
If convicted, the defendants face a sentence of up to life in prison as to the conspiracy to commit kidnapping and up to twenty years in prison for the attempted kidnapping. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is in charge of the investigation with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.
Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) and Deputy Chief of the Violent Crimes Unit Jeanette Collazo and AUSA Corinne Cordero Romo are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
