After 24 years, a suspect in the kidnapping and murder of C.R. from San Diego was arrested in Mexico. V.L.W. was wanted in connection with the murder that apparently was caused by a drug deal which did not go according to plan. In 1988, the Drug Enforcement Agency was investigating a drug deal involving $200,000 of methamphetamine. When one of V.L.W.’s business associates got scared that he would be caught with the drugs, he passed off the drugs to a dealer. In order to get the drugs back, V.L.W. tracked down the drugs and kidnapped the drug dealer, the dealer’s friend, and his girlfriend. He said that they would not be released until the drugs were returned. Even though the drugs were returned, the female hostage died before she could be released.
V.L.W. fled the country before he could be convicted, but his brother was convicted of murder and kidnapping for his role in the incident. He was able to avoid prison for 24 years, until he was discovered working in Cancun at the airport. He supported himself by selling time-share packages and was even heard to boast to people that he was a wanted fugitive from San Diego.
It remains to be seen exactly what he will be charged with, but kidnapping and murder are among the most serious charges one could face. According to the California Penal Code §208 (2011), kidnapping could result in a prison sentence of up to eight years. California Penal Code §§187-199 (2011) says that murder is the“unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought.” Those convicted of murder could be given the death penalty or put in prison for life. If you are facing criminal charges, please do not waste any time in getting in touch with a team of professionals at Martinian & Associates!
