February 21, 2023 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in a kidnapping incident at 1800 El Paseo Street about 10:40 p.m. on Saturday (February 18).

The suspect, Francisco Cisneros, 27, is charged with trafficking of persons in the 482nd State District Court. A booking photo of Cisneros is attached to this news release.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeants M. Holbrook and A. Lopez reported:

HPD North Belt patrol officers were advised by a male witness of an incident in which his friend was possibly being held against his will at the above address. The HPD Homicide Division was contacted and an investigation was initiated.

Further investigation indicated this was a kidnapping that involved human smuggling. The male victim was to be released in exchange for payment at a gas station at 8301 Knight Road. HPD patrol officers and SWAT officers responded to the gas station and took the suspect, later identified as Cisneros, into custody. Two male victims were recovered unharmed.

The investigation is continuing.