A man from Roberts, Montana, Adolfo Vargas-Lepe, was found guilty by a federal jury on charges of kidnapping and making interstate threats. U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced the verdict following a three-day trial in which Vargas-Lepe was convicted of two counts of kidnapping minors, one count of kidnapping an adult, and making an interstate threat. He had previously pleaded guilty to trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine.
Vargas-Lepe faces severe penalties for his crimes. For kidnapping an adult, he could receive life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. Each count of kidnapping a minor carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years to life imprisonment along with similar fines and supervised release terms. The charge for making interstate threats includes five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Drug trafficking charges could result in 10 years to life imprisonment with fines up to $10 million.
The case was overseen by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters who will decide on the sentencing on October 2, 2025. Until then, Vargas-Lepe remains in custody.
Special Agent Mehtab Syed from the Salt Lake City FBI remarked on the trauma inflicted upon Vargas-Lepe's victims: "Lepe’s victims endured unimaginable trauma that will stay with them forever." He added that Lepe's actions demonstrated "a complete disregard for human life and the law."
U.S. Attorney Alme provided further details about Vargas-Lepe's actions: “Lepe traumatized his kidnapping victims... While engaged in that conduct, he also distributed methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine.” He praised the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno Baucus and Ryan Weldon as well as law enforcement agencies involved in bringing Vargas-Lepe to justice.
Court documents revealed that in November 2017 Vargas-Lepe kidnapped Jane Does 1 (a mother) and her two daughters (Jane Does 2 and 3), transporting them across state lines into Mexico where they were confined against their will. In another incident involving Jane Doe 4 from Wyoming in 2023, she was coerced through threats into traveling back to Montana with him where she suffered abuse until her escape.
Following Jane Doe 4's escape in May 2023 near Boyd, Montana deputies pursued Vargas-Lepe resulting in his arrest after a high-speed chase ending with his vehicle overturning. Subsequent investigations uncovered significant quantities of illegal drugs linked to him.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno Baucus and Ryan Weldon while investigative efforts were carried out by the FBI along with local police departments under Project Safe Neighborhoods—a national initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaborative law enforcement strategies.
