Gang Member Sentenced For Kidnapping, Assault: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A city man was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in a kidnapping and violent assault, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. Josue Franco, aka "Sway," 24, will also serve four years of supervised release.

The crime was committed with four other members of the Latin Kings.

According to court documents, on Jan. 26, 2018, Franco and Anthony Carillo lured the victim to a home on Benton Street in Hartford. When the victim entered, Jonathan Otero and Luis Pitt were waiting.

Otero, Pitt, Franco, and Carillo then threatened, assaulted and tortured the victim, prevented him from leaving the home, and demanded a ransom. After the victim was restrained, Pedro Carillo arrived at the residence and participated in the ongoing assault and torture of the victim, which included burning him with cigarettes, pistol-whipping him and throwing a dart into his foot.

The defendants forced the victim to call someone to deliver money in exchange for his release. The victim then called his father. Franco grabbed the phone and told the victim's father if he did not deliver $500 they were going to kill his son.

After the call, Otero put a bullet in the victim's hand and told him he would use that bullet to shoot him in the head if the victim could not get the ransom money, according to the statement.

The victim was eventually released. He was treated at a hospital for a fractured cheekbone, a facial laceration, a concussion and other injuries.

Franco has been detained since his arrest on October 16, 2018. On September 19, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and one count of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The other four defendants also pleaded guilty to related charges.