La Empresa Member Castro Sentenced to 20 Years for Hostage-Taking in Texas

Luis Edward Castro, a 28-year-old member of the transnational criminal organization La Empresa, has been sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison for his role in a kidnapping and hostage-taking conspiracy. The incident, which occurred in August 2023, involved the forcible abduction of a man from a motel in Juarez, Mexico, where he was held for ransom until early September. During the victim's captivity, his family received multiple threatening calls demanding approximately $9,000 for his release, which they ultimately paid. Castro recorded proof-of-life videos of the victim, who appeared visibly frightened, and was armed with a handgun during the process. Law enforcement later discovered six undocumented immigrants and firearms at Castro's residence. Authorities emphasized the dangers posed by such criminal organizations and commended the investigative efforts that led to Castro's arrest and sentencing.