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Federal Bureau of Investigation - Seal - Link to FBI Chicago Main Press Page

U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation
In Reply, Please Refer to Release No. 219 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604

 

October 25, 2006

TWO SUBURBAN MEN ARRESTED IN KIDNAPPING PLOT

Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced today the arrest of SAUL SANCHEZ, age 37, of 2832 South 50th Court in Cicero, Illinois and ARMANDO GARZA, age 35, of 3301 South Harvey in Berwyn, Illinois. SANCHEZ and GARZA were arrested by FBI Special Agents, without incident, yesterday afternoon outside of a residence located at 7910 South Lockwood Avenue in Burbank, Illinois.

Both men were charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago with one count each of Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping, which is a felony offense. According to the complaint, SANCHEZ and GARZA were hired by a third man, identified as LUIS VAZQUEZ, to abduct and hold for ransom, two individuals that had testified against VAZQUEZ in a recent drug trial. VAZQUEZ was convicted in U.S. District Court in November of 2005 with being a high-ranking member of an international cartel that imported and distributed over 1000 kilograms of cocaine into the Chicago area during a six-month period.

Authorities were alerted to this plot by a citizen who came forward with information that led to the initiation of the investigation, which led to the arrests announced today.

SANCHEZ and GARZA appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan R. Nolan in Chicago, earlier today, at which time they were ordered held without bond pending their next scheduled court appearance. VAZQUEZ remains incarcerated at the U.S. Penitentiary in Coleman, Florida. If convicted of the charges filed against them, all three men face a possible sentence of up to life in prison.

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

EDITOR's NOTE: Copies of the criminal complaint filed in this case are available from the Chicago FBI Press Office at (312) 829-1199.