US man pleads guilty in kidnap death of Chinese national Ruochen ‘Tony’ Liao
- Anthony Valladares, 28, was hired as ‘muscle’ when victim was abducted and held for US$2 million ransom, prosecutors say
- Liao died of his injuries after being badly beaten and repeatedly shocked with stun gun
A Southern California man pleaded guilty on Thursday to conspiracy to kidnap a Chinese citizen who was held for ransom but died of his injuries after the abduction, authorities said.
Anthony Valladares, 28, of Pasadena entered the plea in connection with the 2018 kidnapping of Ruochen “Tony” Liao of Santa Ana from a Los Angeles-area shopping centre, according to a statement from the US attorney’s office.
Liao owned a Southern California showroom that sold high-end cars such as Porsches and Bentleys.
Federal prosecutors contend that Valladares was hired as “muscle” when Liao was lured into a minivan in the car park of the mall in San Gabriel.
Liao’s parents in China were sent ransom demands for US$2 million and ordered to deposit payment in Chinese bank accounts, according to court documents.
However, the money was not paid, authorities said.