A 24-year-old man from Federal Way, Washington, Daniel Lopez, is set to appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle following his indictment on charges of kidnapping. U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced that a grand jury indicted Lopez on November 6, 2024. He was apprehended in Texas and has been held in state custody on charges initially filed in King County Superior Court.
Lopez faces charges related to the October 13, 2024, abduction of a woman from Auburn, Washington. The victim was reportedly taken at gunpoint from her home and later found safe in Guatemala.
Court records reveal that the woman's husband reported her missing on October 14, after discovering her belongings left behind at their apartment. Witnesses claimed to have seen the woman leaving with two men, one armed with a firearm, who was later identified as Lopez through surveillance footage showing vehicles at the apartment complex parking lot. Further investigation using traffic camera images helped authorities link Lopez to one of the vehicles involved.
Lopez was located and arrested in Houston, Texas on October 19 at a hotel. Meanwhile, immigration officials identified the victim in southern Mexico before she was transported to Guatemala where she has family connections.
Authorities are continuing investigations to identify any additional individuals involved in the kidnapping scheme.
The charge of kidnapping carries a potential life sentence if convicted. It is important to note that all charges are allegations until proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The Auburn Police Department and FBI are conducting the investigation into this case which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.