West
US family faced a $70K ransom, death threat after loved one kidnapped in Mexico: DOJ
A California family was allegedly threatened with a $70,000 ransom and the killing of a loved one after a family of three in Mexico kidnapped that loved one.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, stated in a press release that Mario Alex “Shyboy” Medina, 53, along with his son, Jose Salud “Gordo” Medina, 31, and his sister, Maria Alejandra Medina, 50, kidnapped their neighbor in Mexico who was identified as “R.V.”
The victim was forcibly taken at gunpoint from his residence, pistol-whipped, and threatened with a firearm, authorities said. The Attorney’s Office also said the Mexican kidnappers also fired a gun near the victim’s head.
Following the abduction, the kidnappers allegedly contacted the victim’s family in Los Angeles County, California and demanded $70,000 for his release.
NYC MIGRANT SQUATTER ADMITTED TO BEING TREN DE ARAGUA GANG MEMBER WHO SERVED TIME IN VENEZUELAN PRISON: ICE
A view of a fence at the US-Mexico border on May 13, 2023, in Yuma, Arizona. (Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images)
The kidnappers, through WhatsApp, also sent a video of the victim being beaten.
Jose Medina later threatened to kill the victim if the family did not immediately pay $30,000.
Mario Medina then posed as an intermediary, telling the victim’s family to meet at a McDonald’s restaurant that was immediately north of the U.S.-Mexico border in San Ysidro, California to deliver the ransom.
A now-hiring sign at Moab’s only McDonald’s restaurant in September 2021, weeks after the murders of newlyweds Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner. (Michael Ruiz/Fox News Digital)
The indictment alleged that Jose and Maria Medina met the victim’s family the next day at the restaurant, where they collected the $30,000 ransom payment, which they took with them back to Mexico.
ILLEGAL MIGRANT DEPORTED 8 TIMES WITH 11 ARRESTS NOW CHARGED WITH MURDER IN OHIO: ‘OUR BORDER IS BROKEN’
The victim was left tied up in a trench until rescued by Mexican law enforcement later that day, the indictment states.
If convicted as charged, Mario Alex Medina, Jose Salud Medina and Maria Alejandra Medina could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. (Getty Images)
The family of three is facing charges of conspiracy to commit hostage taking and conspiracy to demand ransom. Additionally, Mario and Jose Medina face charges of making foreign communications with intent to extort.
Maria Medina has been in federal custody since March 26 and is awaiting arraignment on April 16. Mario Medina appeared in court in Bakersfield and awaits a detention hearing scheduled for April 11. Jose Medina is currently incarcerated in Mexico.
If convicted as charged, the defendants could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The FBI is investigating this matter.
Read the full article from Here
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Special Olympics Nevada invited community members to make a splash for inclusion at the Vegas Plunge at Cowabunga Bay on Saturday.
Organizers encouraged people to “hop, skip, run, jump, or dive” into the Henderson waterpark to support Special Olympics Nevada’s sports, education, leadership, and athlete health programs. While polar plunges are typically associated with colder climates, the event puts “a Vegas twist on this classic event.”
This year’s theme is “superheroes,” with participants encouraged to wear costumes. All plungers received a Vegas Plunge T-shirt, breakfast, tickets to Cowabunga Bay for the day, and the chance to support Special Olympics Nevada athletes.
The event was hosted by JayBee Beasley and included the fifth annual Rubber Duck Derby presented by Columbia Bank. Hundreds of rubber ducks raced around the lazy river, and attendees had a chance to win items including staycations, sporting events, golf packages, and jewelry.
Liz Volpe is the Developmental Director for Special Olympics Nevada and says the Vegas Plunge is their signature event and, “We create inclusive opportunities for individuals with intellectual needs.”
Proceeds from the Polar Plunge are expected to support year-round sports training and competition for more than 3,978 Special Olympics Nevada athletes statewide.
Organizers said contributions and involvement also help athletes achieve their goals, live healthier lives, and feel included in the community.
Gold sponsors included Greenberg Traurig and The Raiders. Silver sponsors were Columbia Bank and MoneyTree. Bronze sponsors included David and Gail Bowman, Jomsom Staffing Services, and Renewal by Andersen.
ESPAÑOLA, N.M. (KRQE) – Residents in the area of the Riverside Fire in Española got a better look at the aftermath as the sun came out Saturday morning. Española resident Estevan Lucero is grieving the mobile home he grew up in. It’s one of four structures lost due to the riverside fire. His childhood home was burned, and just missed his family’s primary house on their property. “It’s awful to see all this black all around, it’s scary, it’s scary to see that it got this close,” said Lucero.
The large fire erupted Friday night in Espanola behind the Santa Claran hotel and Casino up to Fairview Lane. Some Espanola residents said that the experience was terrifying. “It’s one of the bigger fires I’ve seen in this area, so it was intense,” said Ronald Gallegos.
Meanwhile, crews have been battling to keep flames contained, but there is no reason for how it started. The fire is currently under investigation. It did spread very quickly. Initially, firefighters did think it was approximately 100 acres based on the nighttime and not getting that great visual effect,” said Española Mayor Dennis Tim Salazar.
Evacuations have been lifted for all residents, but the work will continue. “There’s several hot spots, and as mentioned, we’re really concerned about the winds, so we just want to make sure to focus on getting the job done,” said Mayor Salazar.
Several firefighters have come to pitch in. A total of 19 fire engines are assisting from federal, city, and county levels.
The Oregon Ducks spring game ended with the Combat Ducks defeating the Fighting Ducks 17-10 in front of 46,000 fans at Autzen Stadium. With the Ducks football team now having their sights set on fall camp after the spring game, here are the biggest winners and losers from the Oregon spring game.
Winners:
Dakorien Moore
Moore wasn’t able to tap into his full potential in the 2025 season due to an injury that held him out for — games during the middle of the season. Moore was a star on the field during the spring game and left his mark in the fourth quarter after a 60-yard touchdown reception from Ducks quarterback Brock Thomas with 21 seconds left to put the Combat Ducks ahead 17-10.
Moore caught passes from both Brock Thomas and Akili Smith Jr. Moore finished the spring game with five receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown.
Evan Stewart
Stewart missed the entirety of the 2025 season, and Ducks fans got their first look at Stewart since 2024. Stewart didn’t take long to get Autzen Stadium on their feet, as he took a pass from Ducks quarterback Dylan Raiola down the sideline for a 76-yard touchdown.
Stewart talked to the media after the spring game and showed some love to the Oregon fans in attendance, as well as his touchdown.
“It’s exciting, I’ve actually never scored in a spring game before, that was my first time, a lot of fans today, felt like a real game-day experience, it was a great feeling, thank god I’m back,” said Stewart.
The Quarterback Room
Dylan Raiola made his debut in front of Ducks fans in the spring game and showed exactly why Ducks coach Dan Lanning targeted him in the transfer portal. Raiola made several key passes, including a 76-yard completion for a touchdown to Evan Stewart. Ducks quarterbacks Brock Thomas and Dante Moore both tossed touchdown passes during the spring game as well.
Losers:
Special Teams
The Ducks had kicking woes throughout the course of the spring game. Oregon kicker Gage Hurych missed from 51 and 52 yards, but was able to connect from 35 yards. The Ducks have a plethora of kickers, including Rocco Graziano and Keaton Emmett. There will be plenty of time for Oregon to find their kicker for the 2026 season, but there may be some growing pains along the way. The Ducks kickers were perfect on extra points.
Dierre Hill Jr.
Hill Jr. muffed one punt and bobbled another during the spring game. While Hill jr. may not be the starting punt returner in 2026, ball security is a part of the game that coach Dan Lanning emphasizes and will be something Hill Jr. will have to improve before the beginning of next season.
With the Ducks’ spring game in the books, the next time Ducks fans will be able to watch Oregon will be Sept. 5 at Autzen Stadium against Boise State.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
-
Nevada2 minutes agoSpecial Olympics Nevada’s Vegas Plunge returns with superhero theme at Cowabunga Bay
-
New Hampshire7 minutes agoBetween Concord And Portsmouth Is A New Hampshire State Park With Mountains, Beaches, And Incredible Views – Islands
-
New Jersey14 minutes agoDid anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for April 25, 2026
-
New Mexico19 minutes agoEspañola resident mourns childhood home burned in Riverside Fire
-
North Carolina25 minutes agoThousands attend NC’s largest craft beer festival in downtown Raleigh
-
North Dakota32 minutes agoNorth Dakota Rep. Liz Conmy dies in Brooklyn Park plane crash near Crystal Airport
-
Ohio37 minutes agoRenters react after Ohio Supreme Court rules on submetering
-
Oklahoma43 minutes agoAnother round of storms moves into Oklahoma