Denver Kidnapping Plot Uncovered: Tren de Aragua Ties Lead to Torture, Ransom Demands, and 20-Year Sentences

Federal prosecutors recently revealed chilling details of a kidnapping plot in Denver, where a man's roommates transformed his residence into a torture chamber after discovering his family's connections to law enforcement. This brutal ransom scheme was allegedly directed by high-ranking members of the violent Tren de Aragua (TdA) criminal organization.

The victim, who survived days of horrific abuse, eventually managed to escape, presenting himself at a police station with a finger missing. Prosecutors stated that his captors had documented the torture on video and sent the footage to his wife, demanding money from his family residing in Venezuela.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced that three Venezuelan nationals—Darwin Veliz-Gonzalez, Jefferson Balza-Delfin, and Yender Enrique Campos-Malave—have each been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for their involvement in the kidnapping and torture. The sentencing for a fourth defendant has been deferred.

"This is what Tren de Aragua was doing in our community," U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly stated. "Colorado is safer with these violent criminals in federal prison for the next 20 years, and we will continue to pursue every member of Tren de Aragua until there are no more left in our state."

Brutal Kidnapping Unfolds in Denver Residence

The ordeal began when the victim, a man renting a room in the Denver home, had his background exposed. His roommates learned that both he and his father had served as police officers in Venezuela, leading them to take him captive. The perpetrators bound him with rope, holding him for several days, depriving him of food and providing only minimal water.

During his captivity, the men engaged in various forms of torture, which they meticulously filmed. These acts included strangling him with a rope until he nearly lost consciousness, repeatedly submerging his head in a bucket of water for periods exceeding 30 seconds, threatening him with a firearm, and pistol-whipping him.

These disturbing recordings were subsequently sent to the victim's wife as part of the ransom demand to his family in Venezuela. Prosecutors added that the videos were also shared with international TdA leaders, who were consulted throughout the kidnapping operation.

Ransom Demands and Extreme Violence

When the victim's family failed to produce the requested ransom, a gang leader explicitly suggested a gruesome escalation: severing one of the victim's fingers to intensify the pressure for payment. The victim overheard his captors discussing this horrific plan.

Following this discussion, Balza-Delfin proceeded to use a pair of pliers to sever the victim's right pinky finger. This act of mutilation was also filmed by the perpetrators.

Victim's Escape and Law Enforcement Response

On October 16, 2024, Denver police responded to the South Hazel Court residence after receiving a welfare call reporting a kidnapping. Officers conducted a preliminary visual search of the premises but did not find anyone in distress, as the victim, still inside, was too terrified to reveal his presence.

After the police visit, three of the captors fled the home, creating an opportunity for the victim to escape. The following morning, he walked into a Denver police station, where he reported the kidnapping and assault and showed officers his missing finger.

Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas commended the victim for coming forward and reporting the crime.

"I applaud the victim of this heinous crime, and all victims, regardless of immigration status, for reporting criminal behaviors and helping us arrest those who prey on our community members," Chief Thomas remarked.

Federal Sentences and Ongoing Gang Disruption Efforts

In addition to the recent sentencings, a federal grand jury has separately indicted Brawins Dominique Suarez Villegas, also known by the alias "Chino San Vicente." He faces charges for his alleged involvement in the same kidnapping and torture incident.

Suarez Villegas is also accused of participating in a broader criminal enterprise associated with Tren de Aragua, which allegedly encompassed robbery, extortion, kidnapping, money laundering, and drug-related offenses. These activities are reported to have occurred between May 2024 and approximately March 2025.

The investigation into this case was a collaborative effort between the FBI’s Denver Field Office and the Denver Police Department. Amanda Koldjeski, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Denver, highlighted the case as part of the bureau’s broader strategy to dismantle the gang.

"The FBI, alongside our local, state, federal, and international partners, is working to disrupt and dismantle TdA through intelligence-driven investigations like this from our Violent Criminal Enterprise Task Force," Koldjeski affirmed.