Three California men accused of kidnapping illegal immigrants for ransom June 9, 2021 Law enforcement officials arrested three men allegedly involved in a crime ring that kidnapped at least six illegal immigrants near the Mexico border, whom they held for ransom and often refused to release after payments were made, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday. The U.S. Attorneys Office has charged Edgar Adrian Lemus, 23, of Vernon; Francisco Javier Hernandez Martinez, 20, also of Vernon; and Junior Almendarez Martinez, 23, of Watts with one count of money laundering conspiracy each. All three suspects were arrested Monday evening. The suspects allegedly targeted victims who were attempting to cross the border from Mexico into the United States. The kidnappers offered to assist in smuggling the victims across the border, but instead held them for ransom.