Four men were arrested and charged with kidnapping migrants who had been smuggled into the United States and demanding their relatives pay ransom for their release, officials said Monday.

The men have pleaded not guilty after they were arraigned on an indictment, the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles said. A fifth man has been charged in the case but remains a fugitive, prosecutors said in a statement.

The defendants took the four migrants from an Arizona gas station last year and later held them hostage at a house in California, prosecutors said. The suspects allegedly used one of the hostage’s cellphones to demand ransom money from the victim’s family member in exchange for their release. 

Three of the hostages were later moved to a motel where one escaped through a second-story bathroom window and ran to a nearby store, the statement said. One of the suspects followed him and “body-slammed the victim, placed him in a chokehold, and punched him repeatedly in the face in an attempt to re-kidnap him,” the statement said.

The defendants were identified as Miguel Angel Avila, 22, of Hemet; Omar Avila Salmeron, 41, of South Los Angeles; Jose Jaime Garcia, 20, of San Jacinto; Gabriel Michel Becerra, 22, of Palmdale; and Jose Alfredo Moreno Gonzalez, 21, of Oak Hills. Becerra is currently a fugitive.

“These defendants allegedly preyed upon victims who sought to emigrate to our country by demanding ransom from the victims’ families in exchange for their release,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada of the Central District of California said in a statement.

On March 23, 2023, Avila, Garcia and Becerra allegedly drove one of the hostages to a gas station, where they took $11,000 in cash from the victim’s brother in exchange for the victim’s release.

Migrants seeking to cross into the United States are frequently kidnapped by gangs and drug cartels in Mexico, and are also known to be vulnerable to kidnappings in the United States.

A pipe-wielding Tesla driver convicted of attacking other motorists on Southern California roads was released from prison last month after only serving less than a year of a five-year term, a move that outraged his victims. 

Nathaniel Radimak, 37, was sentenced in September 2023 following a spree of violent attacks. He pleaded guilty to assault, vandalism, elder abuse and making criminal threats. 

Radimak was known for driving a Tesla and using a pipe to attack the cars of his victims, mostly women.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation told Fox News Digital that Radimak was granted 424 days credit for time served while he was awaiting his sentence. He was also eligible for opportunities to earn credit for good behavior while he was incarcerated. 

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“Radimak was released to parole supervision in Los Angeles County on Aug. 28, 2024, after serving his full sentence as defined by law,” a CDCR statement said. 

Many of Radimak’s victims were outraged at his release. Some said they weren’t consulted about the release or given a chance to contest the decision. They said the justice system failed by not giving them a chance to be heard. 

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“I’m unable to believe such a short sentence would result in any sort of behavioral reform or rehabilitation considering the length of time he’s been committing crimes,” one unidentified victim said during a virtual news conference alongside attorney Gloria Allred.

“I am worried he will try to find the victims whose names have been released,” said another. “He is a menace to society, and I strongly disagree about his early release.”

Some said they were afraid that Radimak would possibly retaliate against them. 

“His early release has shocked and disappointed many of the victims whom I represent,” Allred said.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office told Fox News Digital that it does not determine when an inmate is released. 

Nathaniel Walter Radimak was arrested Sunday for his alleged involvement in a road rage incident. (California Highway Patrol)

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“Our thoughts are with the survivors who endured the terrifying attacks by Mr. Radimak and are continuing to heal from his senseless actions,” the DA’s office said. “The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office does not determine when an inmate will be released from custody. This, as well as the notification of victims, is the responsibility of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.”

“It’s critical that residents in the impacted areas remain vigilant and prepare to evacuate immediately if called for by local authorities,” said California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a statement.

The Line Fire in Southern California has set over 20,500 acres ablaze and is 0% contained.

The wildfire was discovered Thursday, according to InciWeb’s data. It’s located in San Bernardino County, around 121 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

High temperatures have increased the fire’s activity Sunday night and will continue through Monday, and then temperatures will be below normal by Wednesday.

The fire is spreading towards the northeast direction, according to Daily Press, a part of the USA TODAY Network. However, the cooler weather will help moderate the flames below the marine level.

Over 36,000 structures, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and others, are threatened by the fire, and thousands are forced to evacuate.

The fire also set areas of the San Bernadino National Forest ablaze.

A Damage Inspection Team was ordered, and there were 1,855 personnel assigned to fight the fire while more resources arrived from other parts of the California.

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What caused the fire?

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

However, as firefighting efforts continued on Sunday, rising temperatures allowed the fire to increase, according to InciWeb.

“Temperatures ranged from the upper 80s to the mid-100s over the fire area,” stated its website.

Line fire map

State of emergency

California Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency and secured “a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire,” stated a press release, as the fire grew over 17,400 acres on Saturday.

“It’s critical that residents in the impacted areas remain vigilant and prepare to evacuate immediately if called for by local authorities,” said Newsom in a statement.

Emergency declared after Line Fire grows

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County where a fire has exploded past 17,000 acres.

Evacuation orders

People in areas with evacuation orders are required to leave for their safety as “there is an immediate threat to life and property,” according to InciWeb.

The following locations have been ordered to evacuate the area:

• The area from Calle Del Rio to Hwy 38, including Greenspot Road North
• Underdeveloped land from east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue
• Areas of Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18
• Community of Running Springs
• Community of Arrow Bear Lake
• East of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the foothills
• North of Highland Avenue and East of Palm Avenue to Highway 330
• Garnett Street east to the 138 and Mill Creek north to the foothills
• Community of Forest Falls 
• Community of Mountain Home Village

The following areas have evacuation warnings:

Conditions may worsen in areas with an evacuation warnings. People in the following areas will need to evacuate should conditions change, according to InciWeb:

• Boulder Avenue east to Church Street
• Greenspot Road north to the foothills
• Church Street east to the city limit
• Area from the foothills south to Greenspot Road
• Green Valley Lake, north of Highway 18
• Community of Cedar Glen
• Community of Lake Arrowhead
• Community of Crestline
• Community of Valley of Enchantment
• Angelus Oaks
• Seven Oaks
• Garnet Street to Bryant Street and Carter Street North the Mill Creek 

Contributing: Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.