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May 17, 2007

Chandler man sentenced to 25 years for hostage taking

TUCSON, Ariz. - A 36-year-old Chandler man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a 2004 human smuggling hostage-taking incident investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

United States District Judge Frank R. Zapata sentenced Bobby Ray Hunt in Tucson May 14. Along with three other individuals, Hunt held illegal aliens from Mexico hostage until their family members agreed to pay approximately $1,600 for their release. The evidence also revealed that one of the hostages was beaten by his captors.

Hunt pleaded guilty in September 2006 to conspiracy to commit hostage taking.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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