It took more than 14 years from the time the arrest warrants were issued, but two Mexican nationals living near Lavonia were arrested Tuesday.
Jose Mendez-Paniagua, 41, faces charges of kidnapping and attempted murder, while Arminda Espinoza-Albarran, 43, faces a kidnapping charge, according to Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas.
Thomas said on Oct. 27, 2004, a judge in Michoacan, Mexico signed the warrants charging the pair. Then, on April 30, 2014, Interpol issued an international Red Notice warrant charging Espinoza with kidnapping.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Atlanta Field Office, with assistance, from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, arrested the pair Tuesday morning, Thomas said.
“Interpol has been notified,” Thomas said. “Pending extradition, Espinoza and Mendez will remain in ICE custody awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge. We firmly believe that this mission could not have been possible without the good working relationship between federal and local law enforcement professionals.”
