UMVA has learned that a harrowing incident of kidnapping and torture unfolded at the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort in Florida, leaving two victims shaken and six suspects now facing serious charges.
The ordeal began on the night of May 29, when two victims, who remain unnamed, met up with one of the suspects, "Saul," at the resort's parking garage. Unbeknownst to them, this encounter would mark the start of a terrifying experience that would push them to the brink of endurance.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the suspects, identified as Saul Alfonso Fajardo, 19, Justin Phihoang Le, 20, Amari Tamire Hill, 21, Anthony Teruel Hernandez, 18, Marikevies McNichols Jr., 19, and Weilen Hernandez, 20, forced the victims into two cars at gunpoint. The victims were then subjected to threats, intimidation, and physical violence.
One of the suspects, Hill, allegedly slammed one of the victims onto a car and forced him into the passenger seat. Phihoang then issued a chilling ultimatum: "If you try to get out, I'm going to end your life... I am going to kill you and your family." The victim complied, gripped by fear for his life and that of his loved ones.
The suspects, all reportedly armed with semiautomatic weapons and wearing masks and latex gloves, took the victims on a journey to a remote location referred to as "the spot," the West Broward Boat Ramp. There, they were allegedly robbed of their personal belongings, including phones, jewelry, clothing, and other items.
Phihoang's cruelty knew no bounds as he demanded money from one of the victims, threatening to harm him and his family if his demands weren't met. The victim, in desperation, called friends to try to gather the money, all while observing a pair of pliers in the car, fearing that his fingernails would be ripped off.
The victims were subjected to dehumanizing treatment, forced to strip to their underwear while the suspects continued to demand money. At one point, Hill fired a round into the air during a video call, attempting to convey the gravity of their situation.
As the ordeal continued, the suspects became concerned that one of the victim's ankle monitor could lead police to their location. They allegedly dropped him off in a subdivision, where he walked to a relative's home, clad only in his underwear.
The other victim witnessed the suspects burning evidence at the boat ramp and, fearing for his life, began to fake a seizure. After being thrown out of a car, he managed to escape and find safety.
Authorities recovered burned clothing and other items at the boat ramp, along with surveillance footage. Messages between the suspects confirmed that one of the victims had been assaulted, with one message reading: "He got jump injuries... DELETE INSTA."
