Two Fresno women have been indicted on federal kidnapping charges after allegedly abducting a mother and her child and transporting them to Mexico against their will, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment Thursday against Rosa Ventura, 34, and Claudia Gonzales, 38, charging them with conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, and kidnapping involving a child.

Related Story: Fresno County Felony DUI Cases Drop Sharply in 2024, DA’s Data Shows

According to court documents, the abduction stemmed from a domestic violence case.

On May 8, 2024, a woman reported her boyfriend to authorities, leading to his arrest. In apparent retaliation, Ventura, the boyfriend’s sister, allegedly took the woman’s 5-month-old daughter and lured the woman and her 9-year-old daughter to a field outside Fresno.

There, Gonzales, who had been hiding in the vehicle’s trunk, jumped out.

Related Story: Fresno Man With Multiple DUIs Gets 30 Years for Crash That Killed Two

The Two Women Drove to Mexico, Holding Mother and Child Against Will

The two women then allegedly drove the victims to Tijuana, Mexico, where they were left at an unknown bus station. Authorities say the abduction was intended to pressure the woman into not testifying in the domestic violence case.

The mother and child were held against their will during the trip. At one point, they attempted to escape at a gas station, but Ventura and Gonzales allegedly chased them down and forcibly returned them to the vehicle.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Fresno Police Department led the investigation.

Related Story: Man Rescued After Falling 25 Feet Into Drainage Pipe in Fresno

The defendants remain in custody pending trial and are scheduled for an initial court appearance on Wednesday.

If convicted, Ventura and Gonzales face a minimum of 20 years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine, the DOJ said.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.