UPDATE ON THE KIDNAPPING OF AMERICAN CITIZEN RAMON

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 001324

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC, AND DSCC
WHA/CAN AND CA/OCAS/ACS/WHA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2016
TAGS: ASEC KCRM PGOV KSAC CASC HO
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE KIDNAPPING OF AMERICAN CITIZEN RAMON

J. ACIDE IN SAN PEDRO SULA



1. (SBU) Summary: On July 21, 2006 RSO Tegucigalpa and
LEGATT San Salvador met with local authorities assigned to
the kidnapping investigation of U.S. citizen Ramon J. Acide.
A briefing on the current status of the investigation
revealed the alleged possibility that the father of Ramon,
Joaquin Acide (DOB 06/11/53),could be involved in illegal
activity. End Summary.


2. (C) On Friday, July 21, RSO and LEGATT met with the Vice
Minister of Security Jorge Rodas Gamero and other police
officials involved with the kidnapping investigation of U.S.
citizen Ramon Acide. Honduran police officials believe that
the father of Ramon is involved with illegal drug activity
and that this was the motivation for his son's abduction.


3. (C) During several phone calls to the father, the
kidnappers demanded a 5 million lempira (USD 265,000) ransom
and several references were made to money from illegal drug
activities in Miami. The father denied involvement in the
drug trade to both the kidnappers and Honduran police. (RSO
Note: A criminal check of Joaquin Acide came back negative. A
check of DEA criminal database revealed negative results as
well. End RSO Note).


4. (C) The police investigation is indicating that the gang
MS-13 is allegedly involved with the kidnapping. Several
times during the second ransom call, the kidnappers stated
that the father and his house in Villanueva were being
watched. RSO confirmed that this particular neighborhood
does indeed have gangs operating and living in the area. The
investigation is also leading police to believe that the
caller is "El Culiche" - having compared several recorded
messages from past investigations of this dangerous gang
leader. (RSO Note: El Culiche, Lester Rivera Paz, was wanted
for his involvement in the December 2004 bus massacre in San
Pedro Sula. He had escaped from Honduran police officials but
was later arrested in February 2005 trying to enter the U.S.
He was later released by U.S. officials and deported back to
Honduras in November 2005 on a Justice Prisoner and Alien
Transportation System (JPATS) flight. Honduran police
officials were unaware of his release due to a mix-up by
DHS/ICE in the U.S. and he was able to return to Honduras
without police officials being alerted. End RSO Note). Police
have also traced one ransom call to a house where a member of
the El Culiche gang lives.


5. (C) LEGATT San Salvador having reviewed the case and
several recorded conversations between the kidnappers and the
father has determined the investigation is moving in the
right direction at this stage. LEGATT came to the conclusion
that no further USG assistance is required at this time.
However, LEGATT will remain in contact with Honduran
officials and is ready to provide FBI assets should they be
needed. LEGATT did speak to the father by phone to explain
the situation and what the USG was prepared to do to assist
local officials. LEGATT gave his contact information to the
father should he have further questions. The father was also
told he could call the Consul General at the Embassy in
Tegucigalpa if he had any additional questions.


6. (U) In closing, it appears Honduran police officials are
actively working the case. Additional leads are developed
with every new contact from the kidnappers. RSO will continue
to monitor the situation and report on the progress of the
case. Should you have further questions please contact RSO
Lizzi.
FORD