Gang Member Sentenced For Kidnapping, Assault: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A city man was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for his role in a kidnapping and violent assault, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. Jonathan Otero, aka "Jax," 26, will also serve five years of supervised release.

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

According to court documents, on Jan. 26, 2018, Josue Franco and Anthony Carillo lured the victim to a home on Benton Street in Hartford. When the victim entered, 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.

Otero has been detained in state custody on an unrelated firearm offense since April 19, 2018. On Sept. 13, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and one count of carrying and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The other four defendants have pleaded guilty to related charges and are detained while awaiting sentencing.

Otero’s criminal history includes convictions for assault, firearm, threatening, and narcotics offenses.