SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez announced the indictment and arrest of 2 defendants charged with Attempted Hobbs Act extortion, Travel Act, and Conspiracy. Defendants Jesús Damiàn Martínez-Silva and Jonathan Montes-Martínez, aiding and abetting one another, attempted to obstruct, delay, and affect commerce and the movement of articles and commodities in commerce by extortion. The defendants attempted to obtain the purported property of RV, a female victim, in the form of $1,000.00 with RV’s consent induced by the wrongful use of force, violence, and fear.
On Aug. 28, 2013, the defendants participated in a scheme in which the ring would call the victim, describe her 78-yr old mother’s home, and threaten to kill her unless she paid them money. The victim paid $1,000 and then was called the next day, Aug. 29, and was extorted for more money. The victim called the FBI and the FBI did a sting and the defendants were arrested after Jesús Damiàn Martínez-Silva and another individual collected $1,000 in government funds from the victim.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke Cass is in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted the defendants face up to thirty years imprisonment. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
