Investigators Release Timeline Of Kidnapping That Led To FBI Raid

CONROE, TX — A Conroe man who was shot to death during an FBI raid on the home where he was being held captive, was related to the wife of one of his kidnappers, officials said.

Ulises Valladares, was shot and killed during what is now being called a botched FBI raid on a northeast Houston home on Thursday morning.

Investigators said that Jimmy Tommy Sanchez and Nicholas Cunningham forced their way into Valladares’ home in the 1700 block of Tyler Lane on Wednesday morning, and tied him and his 12-year old son up, and demanded money, KPRC reported.

According to court documents, Valladares told Cunningham that he knew his parents.

Officials learned that Cunningham is married to Valladares’ cousin, KTRK reported.

The child told investigators that he heard the kidnappers talking about $8,000 that Villadares’ brother owed them.

Officials said Sanchez and Cunningham left the boy tied up and told him not to call police, but the boy was able to free himself after the two left, and ran to a neighbor’s house, who called Conroe Police.

READ:

• FBI Agent Kills Kidnapping Victim During Raid
• Breaking: Kidnapping Suspects Arrested After FBI Raid In Houston

Sanchez and Cunningham took Valladares from the home with the intent of holding him for an $8,000 ransom, which later increased to $20,000.

The kidnappers took Valladares to the home in the 7300 block of Elbert Street, and left him there with Cunninghanm's girlfriend, Sophia Perez Heath.

Investigators learned of the ransom demand when Cunningham and Sanchez called Valladares’ family members with a cell phone, which pinged to a cell tower near the motel in Webster and led to their eventual capture Wednesday night.

Cunningham told investigators they’d taken Valladares to his girlfriend's home in northeast Houston.

At about 4:30 am Thursday FBI and Houston Police surrounded the home and when FBI agents made their way inside, they encountered Heath and Valladares.

One of the agents fired their weapon as they went into the home, hitting Valladares who was still tied up.

He was taken to LBJ Hospital,where he was pronounced dead.

The Houston Police and the FBI are both investigating the shooting.

Cunningham and Sanchez are being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

Both have been charged with aggravated robbery and kidnapping, and could face felony murder charges later, officials said during a press conference Thursday.

Heath has been charged with aggravated kidnapping and is being held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond.

Image: MCSO

Send your news tips to bryan.kirk@patch.com