Two Reading Women Indicted on Kidnapping and Drug Charges

Grace Marie Perez-Jimenez, 26, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was charged today by indictment with conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, conspiracy to distribute phencyclidine (PCP), possession with intent to distribute phencyclidine, collection of extension of credit by extortionate means, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Perez-Jimenez’s co-defendant, Samantha Conrad, 21, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was charged today by indictment with conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, conspiracy to distribute phencyclidine, and possession with intent to distribute phencyclidine, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

The indictment alleges that Perez-Jimenez and Conrad kidnapped and held hostage a 14-year-old child in order to collect a drug debt owed by the child’s mother. Perez-Jimenez threatened to harm the child if the debt was not paid. While holding the child hostage and making ransom demands, the defendants also distributed PCP to customers.

If convicted, Perez-Jimenez faces a maximum possible sentence of up to life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of 27 years’ imprisonment, a lifetime of supervised release, a $3,250,000 fine, and a $700 special assessment. If convicted, Conrad faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of 20 years’ imprisonment, a lifetime of supervised release, a $2,500,000 fine, and a $400 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Reading Police Department, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, and the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Natali.

An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.