Markenzy Lapointe U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida
Miguel Alejandro Pastran Hernandez, 24, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for the armed kidnapping of a rideshare driver. The sentencing was handed down by Chief Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga, who imposed 60 months for kidnapping and carjacking charges and an additional mandatory 84-month term for possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
The incident began on August 16 when Pastran Hernandez kidnapped a rideshare driver at gunpoint near Arlington, Texas. He forced the driver to transport him to South Florida while using a mobile application to avoid law enforcement. During the journey, he brandished a firearm at the victim to ensure compliance.
Upon reaching Miami Beach on August 18, Pastran Hernandez surveilled another potential victim's residence with plans for further criminal activity. The following day, he made the driver take him to Hialeah, Florida, where police intervened after Pastran Hernandez fled from a store.
Law enforcement apprehended him later in Hollywood, Florida. A loaded handgun belonging to the initial victim was found on his person along with other items intended for criminal use.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne and Acting Special Agent in Charge Justin E. Fleck announced the sentence as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing gun violence and violent crime through community collaboration and strategic enforcement priorities.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Hannah prosecuted the case with investigation support from FBI Miami.
For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods or related court documents under case number 24-cr-20380, visit Justice.gov/PSN or flsd.uscourts.gov.
