5 Defendants Indicted In Connection With Kidnapping, Narcotics, And Firearm Offenses

 Broker of Failed Drug Deal Tied to Chair and Assaulted

Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) in New York, and Dermot Shea, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging MARIO REYNOSO-HICIANO, JOEL CABRERA, a/k/a “Gordo,” a/k/a “Oso,” VLADIMIR REYES, YUDITH REYNOSO-HICIANO, a/k/a “La Classica,” and PEDRO REYNOSO with kidnapping, narcotics, and firearm offenses.  Three defendants were taken into custody earlier today and will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox.  A fourth defendant remains at large, and a fifth defendant is already in federal custody in connection with another matter and will be presented and arraigned at a later date.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “As alleged, the defendants were involved in conspiracies to traffic in cocaine and/or to kidnap someone they believed had shortchanged them in a drug transaction.  This case illustrates once again how drug trafficking and gun violence so often go hand-in-hand.  Thanks to the efforts of HSI and the NYPD, people charged with violent crimes are in custody and facing federal charges.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “The safety and well-being of New York City residents remains the primary focus of HSI and our partners.  Today’s indictment alleging narcotics trafficking and kidnapping by the defendants, and use of a firearm by one of them, marks yet another positive step in ridding alleged criminals from our community.  HSI’s continued collaboration with the NYPD to investigate violent crimes and dismantle criminal organizations will ensure the safe removal of guns, drugs and bad actors from our neighborhoods.”

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said:  “The illegal narcotics trade and associated violence alleged in this federal indictment are crimes that erode the fabric of city life. I commend our NYPD investigators, and federal partners, for their work in this successful case.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment[1]:

In or about May 2019, MARIO REYNOSO-HICIANO, JOEL CABRERA, and VLADIMIR REYES engaged in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine.  A dispute arose between MARIO REYNOSO-HICIANO and another individual who had brokered the sale of cocaine (“Victim-1”) because MARIO REYNOSO-HICIANO believed that he had been paid less than the full negotiated purchase price for the cocaine. 

As part of that dispute, MARIO REYNOSO-HICIANO, YUDITH REYNOSO-HICIANO, PEDRO REYNOSO, and others kidnapped Victim-1, tied him to a chair inside an apartment in the Bronx (“Apartment-1”), threatened to and did physically assault Victim-1, and demanded that Victim-1 provide information relating to the aforementioned cocaine transaction.  Portions of the kidnapping were recorded with a cellphone by YUDITH REYNOSO-HICIANO.

In the early morning of May 31, 2019, CABRERA brandished and discharged a firearm in connection with the cocaine transaction that occurred the day before.

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A chart containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants is set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI and the NYPD.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel H. Wolf and Alexander N. Li are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.