Kidnapper Sentenced to More Than 26 Years in Prison

PHILADELPHIA—Jose Antonio Santiago, 66, of Downingtown and Toughkenamon, was sentenced today to 319 months in prison for the violent hostage-taking of a West Chester resident, from the victim´s home, at gunpoint, for ransom, in October 2004, announced United States Attorney Michael L. Levy. Santiago was convicted at trial in September 2008 of one count of conspiracy to commit hostage taking, one count of aiding and abetting the hostage taking, and one count of aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Santiago and his co-defendants, Angel Mejia and Alexis Villegas, held the victim hostage for three days while negotiating a ransom with the victim´s family. Co-defendant Mejia was also involved in a shootout with FBI agents when the agents attempted to rescue the victim and apprehend the defendants. Mejia was sentenced in August 2007 to 646 months in prison; Villegas was sentenced last May to 204 months in prison.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Chester Police Department, and the Chester County District Attorney´s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Karen S. Marston and Joseph Khan.