Michele Beckwith Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California
A federal grand jury has indicted two Fresno residents, Rosa Ventura and Claudia Gonzales, on charges of conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, and kidnapping involving a child. The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Court documents reveal that the incident occurred on May 8, 2024, when a woman reported her boyfriend for domestic violence leading to his arrest. In retaliation, Ventura allegedly abducted the woman's 5-month-old daughter and drove both the mother and her older daughter to a remote field outside Fresno.
At this location, Gonzales emerged from hiding in the car's trunk area. Together with Ventura, they transported the mother and child to Tijuana, Mexico. The victims were left at an unknown bus station as an attempt to deter the mother from testifying in the domestic violence case.
During their ordeal, both mother and child were held against their will. They attempted to escape at a gas station but were forcibly returned to the vehicle by Ventura and Gonzales.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Veneman-Hughes and Cody S. Chapple are handling the prosecution.
Both defendants remain in custody pending trial. Their next court appearance is scheduled for February 5, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean.
If convicted of these charges, Ventura and Gonzales face potential sentences ranging from a minimum of 20 years to life imprisonment along with fines up to $250,000. Sentencing would be subject to judicial discretion based on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. It is important to note that these charges are allegations; Ventura and Gonzales are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
