LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A man charged in connection with the kidnapping of a Lubbock woman was sentenced to 15 years in prison as part of a plea deal.
32-year-old Joe Lopez pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon in the 140th District Court. Lopez faced nine additional charges, including one count of kidnapping. All other charges were dismissed.
On November 10, 2023, 29-year-old Vivian Moreno was reported missing. Investigators accused Lopez of taking Moreno from a motel on the East Slaton Highway.
Surveillance video reportedly showed Lopez throwing Moreno to the ground, then dragging her into a vehicle and speeding away.
Moreno was found safe the following day.
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Judge Douglas Freitag was not pleased with the agreement, but followed the recommendations of the plea offered by the District Attorney’s Office.
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