REEVES COUNTY, Texas — The Reeves County Sheriff's Office (RCSO) has arrested three people in relation to an aggravated kidnapping during the week of Nov. 4, according to Reeves County Chief Deputy Ernesto Lazcano.
On Nov. 5, RCSO responded to a "distress call" on Madera Rd. in the "Lindsey Addition" because of an alleged kidnapping.
Lazcano stated in a release to NewsWest 9 that family members of the 17-year-old victim received a Facebook Messenger message that said their family member had been dropped off at a residence on Madera Rd.
When deputies got there, they found the juvenile with severe injuries. The victim needed immediate medical attention. Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and took the victim to Reeves Regional Hospital.
According to Lazcano, the victim in the kidnapping was taken at gun point while walking near the intersection of Highway 17th and West 4th St. around 3 a.m. on Nov. 3. The victim was taken to an open field then a residence in Barstow, Ward County, TX.
Lazcano stated that the juvenile was "beaten and tortured at both locations." After that, the victim was taken to an open field in Pecos then to an RV on County Road 406, where the juvenile was "assaulted and held against his will."
According to Lazcano, the juvenile managed to escape the RV during the late hours of Nov. 4. The victim walked and found a person he knew and the person took him to the residence on Madera Rd. in Lindsey Addition. There, he hid from the aggravated kidnappers and was located by family members.
Lazcano stated the victim sustained "severe swelling and bruising to his left eye, bruising on both ears, injuries to his head and face, and scrapes on his arms and hands."
RCSO's Criminal Investigations Division (CID) looked over graphic video that had been sent "for ransom" and it showed the juvenile being brutally beaten and tortured.
Lazcano said the "disturbing discovery led to the arrest of multiple individuals connected to the case."
Below is who was arrested:
- Jesus Rivero Parra, 32, arrested for aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, abandoning endangering child and three counts of deadly conduct. His bonds totaled up to $235,000. Lazcano noted that Parra has an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detainer for investigation of illegal entry into the U.S.
- Danny Gonzales, 31, arrested for aggravated kidnapping. Bond set at $100,000.
- Ramon Hernandez, 39, arrested for aggravated kidnapping. He was released on a $100,000 bond.
During the investigation, Lazcano said investigators seized "significant quantities of narcotics and firearms believed to be associated with those involved in these criminal activities."
Parra, Gonzales and Hernadez have been booked into Reeves County Jail.
"CID investigators continued with the investigation even after all suspects were arrested, and more evidence was located and more charges will be added to the suspects," Lazcano said. "All suspects and victim involved on the Aggravated Kidnapping are local residents of Reeves and Ward Counties Not related to the oilfield."
The agencies that assisted in the investigation were the Ward County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety.