Opinion ID: 469813
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Pelaes

Text: 29 As to the conspiracy charge against Pelaes, the evidence included proof that Serrano had threatened Freddy with harm to his family if the cocaine were not returned; that Pelaes, Lastre-Parrada, and others were then recruited by Serrano in Miami, Florida, to help in the recovery of the cocaine; that Pelaes flew from Miami to Los Angeles for that purpose; that ten days prior to the abduction of Luis, Serrano, Pelaes, and others purchased a van; that a few days prior to the abduction, Serrano and Lastre-Parrada reconnoitered the area around Luis's house; that, with Pelaes brandishing a gun, Luis was put into the recently purchased van and taken to a recently rented house, where Pelaes, Lastre-Parrada, and others kept Luis for some two weeks prior to taking him to New York; that numerous telephone calls were made to Luis's father demanding ransom for Luis; and that a number of the ransom-related calls were made by Pelaes. Lastre-Parrada testified at length about these events and about Pelaes's role in them. Most of the ransom calls, including those made by Pelaes, had been recorded, and the tapes were played for the jury. 30 It was the responsibility of the jury to consider all of the evidence and to determine whether the events constituted a kidnaping of Luis as the government contended, or merely a transfer of collateral as the defense contended, and whether the kidnaping was undertaken pursuant to a conspiracy. The proof was ample to permit a rational juror to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt both that there had been a conspiracy to kidnap Luis and that Pelaes was a member of it.