Oklahoma City Man Pleads Guilty To Kidnapping, Robbery, And Firearm Charges

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced Rafael Torres, age 35, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to Kidnapping, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1201(a)(1), punishable by imprisonment for any term of years up to life, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both; to Interference With Commerce By Robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951, punishable by not more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both; to Use, Carry, And Brandish A Firearm During And In Relation To A Crime Of Violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii), punishable by imprisonment for not less than 7 years consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both; and to Felon In Possession Of Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both.

The Indictment alleged that on or about February 3, 2019, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did unlawfully and willfully seize, confine, inveigle, kidnap, abduct and carry away J.S., and hold for the purpose of acquiring transportation, in committing or in furtherance of the commission of the offense, did willfully transport J.S. in interstate commerce from Oklahoma to Arkansas.

The Indictment further alleged that on or about February 3, 2019, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and elsewhere, the defendant, did unlawfully obstruct, delay and affect, and attempt to obstruct, delay and affect, commerce as that term is defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951, and the movement of articles and commodities in such commerce, by robbery as that term is defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951, in that the defendant, did unlawfully take and obtain personal property consisting of taking control of a motor vehicle owned by Morgan’s Towing and Recovery and operated by J.S. from J.S., against his will by means of actual and threatened force, violence, and fear of injury, immediate and future, to his person and property in his custody and possession.

The Indictment further alleged that on or about February 3, 2019, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly brandish, carry and use a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, that is, Interference with Commerce by Robbery.

The Indictment further alleged that on or about February 3, 2019, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, a firearm which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Morrilton Police Department (Arkansas) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.  

Assistant United States Attorney Sarah McAmis represented the United States.