Three Florida drug traffickers have been sentenced for kidnapping a rival — then torturing him for 18 hours by pouring sizzling sauce in his eyes and up his behind.
Mario Espino, now 25, orchestrated the kidnapping and hours-long torture of a former partner-in-crime turned enemy, Gabriel Leger, on Oct. 12, 2023, in keeping with federal prosecutors in Florida.
Espino then labored with Jacob James Visitor, 24, and Joey Lawrence Eugene Younger, 25, in demanding 10 kilograms of fentanyl from Leger’s cartel sources after they beat and certain him, prosecutors mentioned.
Espino and Younger then started torturing him by “pouring hot sauce in Leger’s eyes and anus,” Assistant U.S. Lawyer David P. Sullivan wrote in Espino’s sentencing memorandum.
Leger was ultimately discovered within the again seat of a automotive with a pillowcase over his head and zip ties and electrical cords wrapped round his wrists, in keeping with prosecutors.
The trio — who fled after they noticed cops — left behind 22 kilograms of methamphetamine, 100 grams of fentanyl, a firearm and greater than $10,000 in money within the automotive, prosecutors mentioned.
All three pleaded responsible to prices together with drug trafficking, kidnapping and possessing a firearm in furtherance of their drug trafficking crimes.
Espino was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in federal jail whereas fellow torturer Younger received 25 years. Visitor — who was current for the torture however didn’t actively participate in it — received 20 years.
The fiery feud was ignited over Espino’s frustration with being lower out of Leger’s drug enterprise, courtroom information point out.
