A Denver man escaped after being held, tortured and mutilated by roommates accused of carrying out a ransom kidnapping linked to Tren de Aragua. Prosecutors said the victim was targeted after his captors learned that he and his father had served as police officers in Venezuela. He reached a police station with his right pinky finger severed. Three Venezuelan nationals were each sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, while a fourth defendant’s sentencing was postponed.
| 1) | The kidnapping began inside a Denver rental home |
| 2) | Captors used recorded torture to demand ransom |
| 3) | A police visit created an opportunity for escape |
| 4) | Three defendants received lengthy federal sentences |
| 5) | Investigators are pursuing a broader gang operation |
The kidnapping began inside a Denver rental home
The victim rented a room at a home on South Hazel Court in Denver when his roommates allegedly discovered that he and his father were police officers in Venezuela. Federal prosecutors said that information led the men to seize him and hold him for several days as part of a kidnapping scheme directed by leaders of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal organization.
The victim was tied with rope, given little water and denied food. The alleged abuse took place in the home, which the captors used as a holding site while pressuring the victim’s relatives in Venezuela to pay money.
Captors used recorded torture to demand ransom
According to federal prosecutors, the men recorded themselves strangling the victim until he nearly lost consciousness, forcing his head into a bucket of water for at least 30 seconds at a time, threatening him with a gun and striking him with a pistol. The recordings were sent to the victim’s wife and shared with international Tren de Aragua leaders consulted during the kidnapping.
When the family did not pay, a gang leader allegedly proposed cutting off one of the victim’s fingers. The victim heard the discussion before Jefferson Balza-Delfin used pliers to sever his right pinky finger. Prosecutors said the act was filmed to force a ransom payment.
A police visit created an opportunity for escape
Denver police went to the South Hazel Court home on October 16, 2024, after receiving a welfare call about a possible kidnapping. Officers conducted a limited visual search but did not find anyone appearing to be in distress. Prosecutors said the victim remained inside and was too frightened to reveal himself.
After police left, three alleged captors fled. The victim escaped and walked into a Denver police station the following morning. He reported the kidnapping and assault and showed officers that his finger had been severed, prompting the federal investigation.
“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,” Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said.
Three defendants received lengthy federal sentences
Darwin Veliz-Gonzalez, Jefferson Balza-Delfin and Yender Enrique Campos-Malave, all Venezuelan nationals, each received 20-year federal prison sentences for the kidnapping and torture. Federal prosecutors in Colorado announced the sentences. A fourth defendant’s sentencing was postponed.
The case prompted a warning from U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly, who said the convictions demonstrated the violence authorities attributed to Tren de Aragua in the community.
“This is what Tren de Aragua was doing in our community,” Peter McNeilly said. “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.”
Investigators are pursuing a broader gang operation
A federal grand jury separately indicted Brawins Dominique Suarez Villegas, also known as “Chino San Vicente,” over his alleged role in the kidnapping and torture. Prosecutors also accuse him of involvement in a wider Tren de Aragua operation that allegedly included robbery, extortion, kidnapping, money laundering and drug crimes from May 2024 through approximately March 2025.
The FBI’s Denver Field Office and Denver police investigated through a violent criminal enterprise task force. Special Agent in Charge Amanda Koldjeski said federal, local, state and international partners were using intelligence-led investigations to disrupt and dismantle the gang. The case remains part of broader efforts targeting Tren de Aragua activity.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A Denver renter was held and tortured by roommates after they learned about his family’s law enforcement ties. |
| 2 | The captors recorded the abuse and sought ransom from the victim’s family in Venezuela. |
| 3 | The victim escaped after a police welfare visit and arrived at a station missing a finger. |
| 4 | Three Venezuelan nationals were sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. |
| 5 | Authorities are investigating alleged robbery, extortion, money laundering and drug activity linked to the gang. |
Summary
The Denver case shows how a suspected ransom scheme connected to Tren de Aragua allegedly escalated into captivity and severe violence. The victim’s escape and cooperation enabled investigators to identify suspects, while the sentences remove three defendants from the community for two decades. Authorities say investigations into the gang’s wider network remain active.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Denver victim?
He was allegedly held for several days by roommates, tortured and forced to surrender his right pinky finger before escaping and reporting the crime to Denver police.
Who was sentenced in the case?
Darwin Veliz-Gonzalez, Jefferson Balza-Delfin and Yender Enrique Campos-Malave each received 20-year federal prison sentences. A fourth defendant’s sentencing was postponed.
Why was the victim targeted?
Prosecutors said the captors learned that the victim and his father were police officers in Venezuela and used that information in a ransom plot aimed at the victim’s family.
What are investigators examining beyond the kidnapping?
Authorities are investigating an alleged broader Tren de Aragua operation involving robbery, extortion, kidnapping, money laundering and drug crimes from May 2024 through approximately March 2025.
