Hartford Man Sentenced In Kidnapping, Assault Case

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford gang member has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in a violent kidnapping and assault, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. Luis Pitt, aka "Macho," 24, will also serve five years of supervised release.

On Jan. 26, 2018, Anthony Carillo and Josue Franco lured the victim to a residence on Benton Street in Hartford. When the victim entered the residence, Pitt and Jonathan Otero were waiting, according to the statement.

The four men then threatened, assaulted and tortured the victim, prevented him from leaving the residence, 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, according to the statement.

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. The victim was then transported to different locations in Hartford in an effort to collect ransom before he was eventually released.

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

Pitt has been detained since his arrest on Oct. 4, 2018. On Sept. 25, 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 pleaded guilty to related charges and were sentenced last month. On Dec. 10, Otero was sentenced to 154 months of imprisonment; on Dec. 16, Franco was sentenced to 132 months of imprisonment; on Dec. 18, Anthony Carillo was sentenced to 125 months of imprisonment, and on Dec. 19, Pedro Carillo was sentenced to 161 months of imprisonment.