Mexico’s Infamous Kidnapper Gets 50 Years for Abduction, Murder

The most feared kidnapper in Mexico has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for abduction and murder, the government’s Notimex news agency reported Thursday.

Judge Alejandro Rodriguez Escobar imposed the sentence on former police officer Daniel Arizmendi, known as the “ear lopper” for his practice of sending victims’ ears to relatives to prompt payment of ransoms. In Mexico, the sentence is imposed at the time of conviction.

The case involved the kidnap and murder of businessman Raul Nava Ricano and is the first of seven so far facing Arizmendi on charges including kidnapping, racketeering and weapon violations.

During a hearing in August, Arizmendi admitted organizing the kidnapping of Nava, who was killed after his family failed to pay a $3-million ransom.

Asked why Nava was killed, Arizmendi replied, “Because he didn’t give me the money I was asking for.”

In an earlier hearing, the 40-year-old Arizmendi stated his profession as “kidnapper” and said he had kidnapped 21 people, killing two.

Also sentenced to 50 years for the same crime were two accomplices: his brother, Aurelio Arizmendi, and Daniel Vanegas Martinez. Four others were sentenced to 40 years each.

Fifty years is the maximum sentence allowed for a combination of crimes. Forty is the maximum allowed for one.

After an extensive manhunt, Arizmendi was arrested Aug. 17 in a Mexico City suburb.

Shortly after his capture, Arizmendi told the TV Azteca network that he wanted to be executed, though Mexico does not have a civilian death penalty.

“I never felt anything [for the victims], nor shame,” Arizmendi said, describing how he used butcher’s shears to cut off victims’ ears.