( HOUSTON, Texas) - An indictment has been returned against Aracely Lopez-Gonzalez and her husband, federal inmate Joel Gonzalez Sr., for their roles in an attempted murder and kidnapping scheme, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. Gonzalez is currently serving a life sentence in connection with a federal drug trafficking conviction. Lopez-Gonzalez was arrested by special agents of the FBI March 7, 2008, in La Joya, Texas, and is currently being held without bond pending further criminal proceedings. Before her arrest, Lopez-Gonzalez resided in Roma, Texas.

The indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce to commit murder for hire and traveling in interstate commerce to commit murder for hire. The defendants face up to life in prison for the kidnapping count and up to 10 years in prison for the murder for hire charges. They also face a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the three charges. 

Court documents allege that on or about July 30, 2007, while at the Federal Detention Center in Houston, Texas, Gonzalez solicited another inmate to kidnap and murder a woman from  Roma, Texas, because she allegedly owed money to Gonzalez. The inmate was instructed to contact Gonzalez’s wife upon release from prison, who would provide the inmate with the assistance needed to carry out the plot. Instead, the inmate contacted the FBI and informed them of the scheme. Acting under the direction of the FBI, the inmate telephoned Lopez-Gonzalez, who allegedly discussed the kidnapping and relayed information from her husband. According to the indictment, Lopez-Gonzalez traveled from Roma to the out-of-state federal prison where Gonzalez was serving his sentence to discuss the scheme with him. On Jan. 11, 2008, Lopez-Gonzalez allegedly told the inmate Gonzalez wanted him to proceed. On March 6, 2008, the inmate contacted Lopez-Gonzalez, told her the plan was completed and arranged to meet with her to give her a share of the money. According to the criminal complaint filed against her, on March 7, 2008, Lopez-Gonzalez met with the inmate in La Joya, Texas, and received what was represented as $50,000 in cash as her share of the proceeds of the scheme. Lopez-Gonzalez was thereafter arrested by FBI agents and the money was recovered.          

This case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and is being prosecuted by  Assistant United States Attorney Jay Hileman.

Criminal complaints and indictments are accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.