Kidnapping - Reward Offered for Abducted Boy
Posted on May 8, 2009
Filed Under Felony Crimes, Kidnapping, L.A. Criminal Defense Attorney, Los Angeles Criminal Defense, Robbery, criminal defense attorney |
Home invasion, robbery, kidnapping — the horrific story playing out in San Bernardino, California, 60 miles east of Los Angeles, has authorities asking the public for help. Between San Bernardino County and the FBI, a $50,000 reward is now being offered for information in the violent kidnapping of 3-year-old Briant Rodriguez.
Armed Hispanic gunmen kidnapped the boy during a 20-minute armed invasion of the Rodriguez home in which they ransacked the house, stole money and property, and terrorized Briant, four of his siblings and the children’s mother, Maria Millan. The gunmen tied up Millan and the other children before taking Briant away. His mother said the gunmen threatened to kill her son, but no ransom demands have yet been received. No motive is known for the kidnapping, although police are exploring a potential tie to Mexican organized crime.
Violent kidnappings like that of the Rodriguez child are rare, law enforcement officers report. Most kidnappings involving children stem from divorce and child custody issues. “Every year over 200,000 children are taken by a family member, usually a parent without legal custody,” said expert Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Stephen Rodriguez (no relation to the kidnapped boy). Called parental kidnapping, taking your child in violation of custody orders is a serious crime in California. “Any person who does not have the right to custody and maliciously takes or conceals any minor child with the intent to detain or conceal the child from a person having legal custody, if convicted, could spend time in jail and even state prison,” Rodriguez warns.
In the state of California, kidnapping of minors under the age of 14 is punishable by up to 11 years in state prison. When kidnapping is committed for ransom or robbery, it is called aggravated kidnapping and is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole. If the victim suffers bodily harm or is killed, the perpetrators will spend the rest of their lives in prison without any chance of parole. Because kidnapping is a Three Strikes crime in California, felony conviction can result in onerous doubled and life sentences.
If you are charged with parental kidnapping, it is critical that you immediately contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights. Many defenses are possible, including consent and lack of intent. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Stephen G. Rodriguez & Associates can advise you of your rights and prepare an aggressive defense to protect them.
-LegalPro
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