Current:Home > FinanceMen charged with kidnapping and torturing man in case of mistaken identity -VitalEdge Finance Pro
Men charged with kidnapping and torturing man in case of mistaken identity
View
Date:2025-04-19 02:24:03
Two Florida brothers and another man were charged with federal kidnapping, waterboarding, and torturing a man despite knowing he was not the target of their plot, according to court documents unsealed on Tuesday.
A man came out of his house on Oct. 13 in Plantation, Florida, and went into his apartment's parking garage between 7:30 and 8 a.m. when he was approached by three men, later identified as Jeffry Arista, Jonathan Arista, and Raymond Gomez, who brandished a firearm and told him to get in a black car with police lights, the complaint said.
"Jeffry Arista asked the victim to identify himself, implying they had kidnapped the wrong individual. The kidnappers further confirmed this when they removed the victim's wallet from his pocket and checked his identification. At this point, the kidnappers began inquiring why the coworker was using the victim's car this past Thursday and demanded to know where the money was," the criminal complaint, unsealed in the Southern District of Florida, said.
"The money was in reference to what the coworker allegedly owed the kidnappers. The kidnappers threatened the victim by putting an electric drill to his skin and pointing firearms towards his head," the complaint continued.
MORE: 'Specter of death' hangs over Gaza as aid groups wait for access, UN official says
The apartment the men allegedly brought the victim to was an Airbnb and at one point, the men brought the victim into the bathroom, laid him down, and poured water on his head -- "effectively waterboarding him," the complaint alleged.
When they figured out it was in fact the wrong person, the men then allegedly "brainstormed" on how to get the correct person to them, which involved the victim being forced to call the correct target and make plans with him, according to the complaint.
MORE: IRS consultant pleads guilty to leaking tax information associated with Trump, other wealthy individuals
In order to solicit a large police presence, the victim went into his coworker's business on Oct. 14 and said he had a bomb, the complaint alleged. When law enforcement showed up, one of the alleged kidnappers was in the distance filming the victim, and the victim pointed out to law enforcement he was the one who allegedly kidnapped him.
Law enforcement kept investigating the incident and Gomez was later arrested after he allegedly admitted to kidnapping the wrong person.
Jeffry Arista and Jonathan Arista had their initial appearances in federal court on kidnapping charges on Monday. Gomez has not yet had a court appearance.
Lawyers for the men did not respond to ABC News' request for comment.
veryGood! (3826)
Related
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Liam Payne’s Friend Says He “Never Abandoned” Him After 3 People Are Charged in Connection to Case
- 'Anora' movie review: Mikey Madison comes into her own with saucy Cinderella story
- The US election was largely trouble-free, but a flood of misinformation raises future concerns
- Tropical rains flood homes in an inland Georgia neighborhood for the second time since 2016
- The US election was largely trouble-free, but a flood of misinformation raises future concerns
- Ex-aide to NYC Mayor Eric Adams in plea discussions with federal prosecutors
- Christina Hall Officially Replaces Ex Josh Hall With Ex-Husband Ant Anstead on The Flip Off
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Martha Stewart’s Ex-Husband Andy Stewart Calls Out Her Claims in Sensationalized Documentary
Ranking
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Liam Payne’s Friend Says He “Never Abandoned” Him After 3 People Are Charged in Connection to Case
- Trump’s win brings uncertainty to borrowers hoping for student loan forgiveness
- A voter-approved Maine limit on PAC contributions sets the stage for a legal challenge
- Your Wedding Guests Will Thank You if You Get Married at These All-Inclusive Resorts
- Brianna LaPaglia says ex-boyfriend Zach Bryan offered her a $12M NDA after breakup
- Federal judge denies motion to recognize Michael Jordan’s NASCAR teams as a chartered organization
- Mexico appears to abandon its ‘hugs, not bullets’ strategy as bloodshed plagues the country
Recommendation
Meet 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohao, the youngest Olympian competing in Paris
Judge cancels court deadlines in Trump’s 2020 election case after his presidential win
Money in NCAA sports has changed life for a few. For many athletes, college degree remains the prize
The US election was largely trouble-free, but a flood of misinformation raises future concerns
The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
What to watch: We're mad about Mikey
Does Florida keeping Billy Napier signal how college football will handle coaching changes?
Minnesota man kills two women and two children at separate homes before killing himself, police say