More Information Released Regarding Kidnapped Man in Abbotsford

Saturday, July 16th, 2022 -- 6:56 AM

Some more information has been released regarding the man kidnapped in Abbotsford by two Florida residents.

Gerardo Hernandez Anselmo, 34, and Felipe Engracia-Gonzalez, 39, both of Kissimmee, Florida, are charged with kidnapping an individual in Abbotsford and holding him for money. The indictment alleges that on June 9th they transported the victim from Wisconsin to Florida. Apparently, the victim was leaving Abbyland Foods around 1:39pm. He was forced into the back seat of a vehicle by Anselmo and Engracia-Gonzalez. A tip from a citizen alluded to the two men taking the victim to Florida. A search warrant issued in Florida led to finding the victim. He stated he had been held at gunpoint and his phone had been thrown out the window. Anselmo and Engracia-Gonzalez previously were charged with this offense in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin on June 23rd.

A date for their initial appearance in Wisconsin has not been set.  If convicted, Anselmo and Engracia-Gonzalez face a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. The charge against them is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Colby-Abbotsford Police Department, and the Kissimmee (Florida) Police Department, with assistance from the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

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