On April 24, 2025, a federal grand jury indicted five individuals for conspiracy to kidnap and attempted kidnapping in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, on July 12, 2024. The announcement was made jointly by W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, and Devin J. Kowalski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.
The indictment alleges that from May 21, 2024, through July 12, 2024, defendants Edilberto Aponte-Sánchez, Anthony Esquilín-Guzmán, Ramdy Kaleb Ocasio-Pagán, Jocner Martínez-Correa, and Dylan Camacho-Álvarez conspired to kidnap H.R.G. They supposedly intended to use vehicles, messaging apps, and phones to carry out the crime, as stated in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201(c). The attempted kidnapping involved the defendants trying to force the victim into a van at a parking lot in Mayagüez. The victim resisted, leading the defendants to flee.
U.S. Attorney Muldrow praised the efforts of the FBI, Puerto Rico Police Bureau, and prosecutors: “This case reinforces the importance of being aware of your surroundings at all times -- [...] If you see something that doesn’t look right, trust your instincts.”
Devin J. Kowalski emphasized, “Violence in our communities will never be tolerated. The FBI and our partners will relentlessly investigate those who prey on innocent people — wherever they hide, however long it takes.”
If found guilty, the defendants could face life imprisonment for the conspiracy charge and up to 20 years for the attempted kidnapping. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge following the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The FBI leads the ongoing investigation with assistance from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau. Prosecution is headed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanette Collazo and AUSA Corinne Cordero Romo.
An indictment is a formal accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.