2 Accused of Holding Immigrant Hostage

Two men have been indicted on federal charges of transporting an illegal immigrant and then holding her captive for $950 ransom, officials said.

Juan Calderon-Uriostegui, 29, and Libano Valadez-Bautista, 22, picked up Luz Del Carmen Ruiz-Nolasco and several other immigrants after they had been smuggled into the United States and drove them to an Orange County safe house, according to an affidavit prepared by an INS agent.

Valadez-Bautista allegedly ordered the immigrants into a bedroom and Calderon-Uriostegui asked for the names and telephone numbers of their relatives.

Residence and immigration status of the accused were not known.

Both men then allegedly took Ruiz-Nolasco to the Ralphs parking lot at 1020 N. Euclid St. in Anaheim, where they met a relative of the woman and began negotiating for her release. An argument ensued and Anaheim police were called to the scene, where all four people were arrested.

The indictment charges both men with conspiracy, transporting illegal immigrants, harboring and concealing illegal immigrants and hostage taking. Both defendants are being detained without bond.