After a protracted federal investigation, two Texas men have entered guilty pleas in connection with a deadly 2023 shootout in Charlottesville, Virginia, which stemmed from a harrowing kidnapping plot.

The incident, which unfolded over two and a half years ago, saw one individual tragically killed, while the person responsible for his death was initially lauded as a hero for defending his wife. This dramatic sequence of events ultimately unraveled a far more complex criminal enterprise.

Federal authorities meticulously pursued the case, uncovering the intricate details of a human smuggling operation that directly led to the violent confrontation. The recent guilty pleas represent a significant breakthrough in bringing accountability to those responsible for the initial abduction and subsequent fatality.

Ricardo Franco Ordaz, identified as the 26-year-old mastermind behind the illicit human smuggling ring, formally admitted his culpability last month. His plea encompassed one count of conspiracy to kidnap and an additional charge of transporting an alien, a crime that tragically resulted in a death.

Following Ordaz’s admission, Jordan Joseph Perez, 21, also entered guilty pleas to the identical charges earlier this week. Both men’s admissions solidify the federal government’s case regarding their direct involvement in the abductions and the ensuing violence on January 8, 2023, in Charlottesville.

Their roles in the coordinated kidnapping effort and the subsequent shootout have led to severe federal sentencing assessments. Both Ordaz and Perez have been assigned a federal sentencing severity level of 40, placing them near the apex of the federal sentencing guidelines, which max out at level 43.

Given the gravity of their offenses, each man now faces substantial prison time, with potential sentences ranging from 24 to 30 years. These significant penalties underscore the severe consequences for orchestrating and participating in such dangerous and unlawful operations that jeopardize lives and public safety.

The resolution of this case through these guilty pleas brings a degree of closure to the community and to the victims impacted by the human smuggling scheme and the violent incident that ensued. It also highlights the persistent efforts of law enforcement to dismantle organized criminal networks operating across state lines.