Three Colombians sentenced in US drug agent's death
Edwin Figueroa Sepulveda pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap, aiding and abetting Watson's murder
WASHINGTON, (AFP) - Three Colombians were sentenced Friday to more than 20 years in jail for their part in the 2013 murder of a US drug enforcement agent in Bogota, the Justice Department said.
The three had confessed to playing a role in the kidnapping and killing of James Terry Watson, who was assaulted and fatally stabbed in June of last year.
Watson, a US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent, fell victim to a so-called "millionaire s ride" scam in which individuals believed to be wealthy are lured into taxi cabs before being kidnapped and robbed.
According to the testimony of some of the seven men charged in the case, Watson managed to escape the vehicle, but collapsed later and died of his wounds.
The "DEA is grateful that those who carried out this reprehensible and senseless act are now facing US justice," the agency s chief, Michele Leonhart, said.
Hector Leonardo Lopez, Julio Estiven Gracia Ramirez and Andres Alvaro Oviedo Garcia had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and aiding and abetting the murder.
They received sentences of 25, 27 and 20 years respectively from a US district judge in the eastern state of Virginia.
Wilson Peralta Bocachica, another of the seven charged in the case, pleaded guilty Friday to obstruction of justice.
On Tuesday Edwin Figueroa Sepulveda pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and aiding and abetting Watson s murder.
Both are scheduled for sentencing on February 28, 2015.
A trial for two other accused assailants, who are charged with second-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to kidnap, is scheduled for January 12.
