Two arrested in kidnapping for ransom

SANTA FE, N.M., July 2 (UPI) -- FBI agents have arrested two suspects for the kidnapping of a U.S. resident visiting his family in Mexico.

Fernando Mendoza, 34, and Ever Chavez, 19, are accused of holding the victim until his relatives in Santa Fe paid a ransom of more than $161,000, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported Wednesday.

Authorities say the pair originally sought $500,000 but the man's family was able to negotiate a lower amount.

Once the ransom was paid, the man was safely released in Mexico and returned to the United States.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano says one of the victim's friends contacted his office immediately after the kidnapping took place.

FBI agents obtained court orders for telephone records that led them to Mendoza and Chavez, the newspaper says.

The two are expected to face federal kidnapping and extortion charges.

They were arrested in Santa Fe Tuesday.