An Orange, Texas, man has been sentenced to federal prison for his involvement in a kidnapping incident, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. Putnam Darwin Richardson, aged 79, pleaded guilty to the charges of kidnapping and brandishing a firearm. U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone sentenced him to 294 months in federal prison on April 9, 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. stated, “Thanks to the quick and outstanding work of the FBI, in concert with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Orange Police Department, an innocent victim was rescued from the clutches of a gun-wielding kidnapper and returned safely home to his family, and a now-twice convicted armed kidnapper is returned home to prison.” He added that the case serves as a reminder of the diverse nature of violent predators and the importance of remaining vigilant.
FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams mentioned, “Putnam Richardson clearly failed to learn from his previous imprisonment for kidnapping, and he definitely underestimated FBI Houston’s capacity to mobilize critical resources when a life is at risk.” He expressed gratitude towards the FBI Beaumont team for their efforts in rescuing the victim and reuniting him with his family.
The incident took place on July 15, 2024, when a local attorney was kidnapped at gunpoint upon arriving at his law office in Beaumont. The victim's wife received a phone call demanding a $1 million ransom for the safe return of her husband, with threats to his life if the ransom was not paid. Richardson, previously convicted of kidnapping in 1984, became a suspect during the investigation. He was arrested two days later at a gas station, and the victim was successfully rescued by law enforcement.
This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, an initiative by the Department of Justice to reduce violent crime. The program involves collaboration among federal, state, and local stakeholders to develop effective solutions for violent crime issues in communities. The FBI, Beaumont Police Department, Orange Police Department, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office participated in the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Reynaldo P. Morin handling the prosecution.
