Dani Amanuel, 28, of New York City, Kenny Fetiere, 26, of West Orange, and Kibret Meles, 28, of Livingston, were charged in connection with the June 11-12 kidnapping, the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for the Southern District of New York announced Thursday, Sept. 24.<\/p>\n
The victim was outside a club in Midtown Manhattan when the defendants and others allegedly lured him into a vehicle under the false pretense that they would give him a ride to his hotel, prosecutors said.\u00a0Once inside, the men allegedly restrained the victim and drove him from Manhattan through the Lincoln Tunnel into New Jersey.<\/p>\n
During the abduction, the defendants allegedly struck the victim with their hands and a sharp object and demanded his Rolex watch, iPhone, and iPhone password, according to the indictment.<\/p>\n
The victim was ultimately taken to West Orange and abandoned, prosecutors said. The indictment alleges the three men worked together to restrain him inside the moving vehicle before assaulting him and transporting him to New Jersey.\u00a0He suffered multiple fractures to the bones around his face, a finger laceration that required stitches, and bruising, prosecutors said. He was hospitalized for three days.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Fetiere and Meles were arrested Thursday morning and were expected to appear in Manhattan federal court later in the day, authorities said. Amanuel remained at large.<\/p>\n
\u201cA victim should not have to fear that a night out will end with him being forced across state lines at the hands of violent kidnappers,” U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald said. “As alleged, the defendants carried out a calculated and vicious kidnapping\u2014luring the victim into a waiting car in Manhattan, beating and robbing him as they drove through the Lincoln Tunnel, stealing his property, and abandoning him bloodied in New Jersey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each defendant was charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.\u00a0The indictment also seeks forfeiture of property or money representing proceeds traceable to the alleged offenses.<\/p>\n
The FBI and Essex County Sheriff\u2019s Office assisted in the investigation.<\/p>\n