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Ohio Polygamist Group Arrested for Kidnapping and Torturing Man in Hotel Revenge Plot
Authorities have apprehended a polygamist group in Ohio after they allegedly abducted and tortured a 26-year-old man. The victim was reportedly held against his will for a week in a hotel room as part of a revenge scheme orchestrated by the group’s female leader. The suspects, including a woman, her husband, and her four partners, now face serious charges in connection with the incident that unfolded in Maumee, Ohio.
Arrests Made in Connection with Kidnapping and Assault
Martina Jones, 28, along with her husband Michael Esqueda, 28, and partners Aaron Bradshaw, 49, Austin Bradshaw, 28, David Cessna, 26, and Chance Johnston, 27, were taken into custody on March 22. According to reports from the Toledo Police Department and WTVG, the arrests followed an investigation into the terrorizing of a man at a Red Roof Inn in Maumee.
Details of the Week-Long Torture
The group of partners, who are said to have children together, are accused of subjecting the victim to brutal treatment during his captivity. Police reports indicate the man was repeatedly struck with a metal baseball bat, forced to stand for lengthy durations, and given food and water only once per day throughout the seven-day period.
Victim Endured Severe Physical Abuse
Charging documents further revealed the extent of the abuse, noting the victim was also punched and kicked numerous times. He was allegedly permitted to sleep for a mere ten hours in total while being forcibly detained.
Maumee Chief of Police Josh Sprow described the ordeal to news outlets as a period of sustained torture and assault.
“Essentially Tortured”: Police Chief’s Statement
“He was being essentially tortured, assaulted, over the time frame of a week,” Chief Sprow stated.
“His injuries were results of being struck with a baseball bat, struck with fists, elbows, stomping on him when he was on the ground – which over time resulted in multiple fractured bones.”
Revenge Motive Behind Hotel Room Kidnapping
According to Chief Sprow, Jones instructed her partners to seize the victim on March 14. The motive behind the abduction and subsequent nightmare was reportedly retribution for an altercation that occurred at Jones’ residence.
The victim informed law enforcement that a dog fight at Jones’ residence led to her sustaining a broken arm as they both attempted to intervene. However, Jones allegedly misrepresented the events to her partners, falsely claiming the man was responsible for her injury.
Escape and Rescue
The victim’s ordeal came to an end on March 21 when his captors allowed him to visit a nearby Speedway convenience store. It was there he managed to communicate with an individual who contacted his mother, authorities explained.
Chief Sprow recounted, “When she was contacted by this literally a stranger – she knew something was up.” He added that the victim’s mother swiftly went to the hotel and liberated her son, who presented with widespread injuries.
“Strange Situation” in Maumee
“It’s clearly a strange situation when you have multiple adult men involved in a relationship with a female and then this whole felonious assault, kidnapping taking place. Definitely not something that is normally happening in our city,” Chief Sprow commented on the unusual nature of the crime.
Charges Filed Against All Six Suspects
On Thursday, all six individuals were formally charged. The indictments include kidnapping, three counts of felonious assault, and two counts of tampering with evidence, as reported by Fox8 news.
Suspects Held on High Bond
Each of the six suspects is currently being held on a $200,000 bond as they await further court proceedings.