Overview
- U.S. District Judge William Hayes imposed life sentences on the hostage‑taking counts and a concurrent 35‑year term on the drug‑trafficking count, with no parole in the federal system.
- A jury earlier this year found Patron guilty of intentional killing while engaged in drug trafficking, hostage taking resulting in death, and conspiracy to commit hostage taking resulting in death.
- Prosecutors said the 18‑year‑old victim was abducted from a Tijuana hotel in May 2020, beaten and tortured during ransom demands of $2,000 to $3,000 or methamphetamine, then shot to death; his body was found six days later.
- Trial evidence included surveillance video of the kidnapping, Facebook messages among co‑conspirators, a bracelet linked to Patron, and call logs and WhatsApp messages with ransom demands.
- Defense counsel argued a life term violates the Eighth Amendment given Patron’s age and lack of prior record and plans to appeal, while co‑defendants who pleaded guilty received sentences ranging from five to nearly 12 years.