Recently in Kidnapping Category

Torrance Superior Court Judge Hector Guzman explained that he was giving Elvin Worthey the maximum sentence he could because of a number of factors, including Worthy's criminal history and his "sinister" acts against a "helpless and unresisting victim."

Worthey was convicted of a slew of charges for breaking into a Torrance home, then confronting the resident who came home in the middle of the burglary. Worthey threatened the resident repeatedly with a gun, then took off with the car and valuables, including family heirlooms.

We'll have a full story, including the victim's statement to Guzman, later on dailybreeze.com.

Previous entries on Worthey are here.

Elvin Worthey Jr., who broke into a Torrance home and terrorized the resident who came home during the burglary, was not sentenced today as planned because the judge needed some time to read the prosecutor's sentencing brief. However, a "priors trial," where a judge is presented evidence about a convict's criminal past to determine if they are attributed to the right person for sentencing enhancements, was completed. Torrance Superior Court Judge Hector Guzman found Worthey, 26, did have prior convictions, state prison committments and strikes for attempted robbery, felony evading and auto theft.

While Worthey was not sentenced, Guzman did take a victim impact statement from his victim, which he can consider in determining the sentence. The victim said he testified about the things Worthey did to him - held a gun to his head execution-style, forced him under a bed, tied him up and stole family heirlooms - but he didn't get to previously say how all this made him feel. The bottom line is he will never feel safe again, and worries constantly about his family. Worthey listened to him speak, but seemed to be paying more attention to some family members in the audience.

He returns to court Jan. 13 for sentencing. I'll have a full story then.

I was out sick yesterday, so I'm a day late on this one. But a jury on Wednesday returned nine guilty verdicts for Elvin Worthey, who broke into a Torrance home, threatened to kill the resident and tied him up. We'll have a full story in tomorrow's Daily Breeze.

The story of the missing Silah boys, who were abducted by their fathers and have been missingsince July, will be on Dr. Phil's show today.

It airs at 4 p.m. on Channel 2.

Alex and Zaven Silah, and their cousin, Greg, have not been heard from since their fathers, George and John Silah of Westchester, failed to return them to their mothers following summer custody visitations. Both men have been charged with kidnapping.

Alex and Zaven's mother, Zanni Meguerian, and Greg's mother, Christine Jeanbart, will appear on the show. Here's a link to the Dr. Phil show's story

Two Gardena men were sentenced to prison today for kidnapping people and forcing them to withdraw, or try to withdraw, money from various bank machines around the South Bay.

Alan Islas, 22, was sentenced in Torrance Superior Court to 26 years and four months in prison, while Anthony Valencia, 20, received 24 years and eight months behind bars. They both previously pleaded no contest to charges that arose from a series of crimes in the summer and fall of 2007.

Witnesses at a preliminary hearing in February described how one or two men, using a gun, carjacked them and drove them to various automated teller machines. During three heists, a total of $2,500 was withdrawn from the banks, according to prosecutors. Personal items were taken, too.

Every time I get another update on this case, it amazes me that the national media has blown it off. I just don't get it. Three kids are missing with men who might take them out of the country. Their mothers haven't seen them since June.

Anyway, the Westchester Lutheran Church choirs -- kids and adults -- will perform Thursday at the school to raise money to help search for the boys.

Students Alex and Zaven Silah, and their cousin, Greg, have not been heard from since their fathers, George and John Silah, failed to return them to their mothers following summer custody visitations. Both men have been charged with kidnapping.

In addition to student and adult choirs, Alex's seventh grade classmates will perform a song in his honor.

Alex and Zaven's mother, Zanni Meguerian, will speak during the program. A representative of the Association for the Recovery of Children also will address the case.

The fundraiser will begin at 7 p.m. at the school at 7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Donations also can be sent to the school office, made payable to ARC with the designation of "Silah Boys."

Contact the school office at 310-670-5422 for more information.

The FBI and Los Angeles police department are investigating the case. A reward has been offered for information leading to the boys return and the Silahs arrests.

Mothers plead for help

The FBI has released stats showing crime is down in 2007, but check out this clock that's within the press release. It shows how often crimes occur across the country:

I've written a number of entries about the search for Christine Jeanbart's and Zanni Meguerian's sons.

Their ex-husbands, George and John Silah, took off with the kids after failing to return them from summer custody visitations.

The L.A. City Council has offered a reward, the D.A.'s office has charged both men, the women have gone to the media and the FBI and LAPD are investigating. Nothing has happened, unfortunately, to bring Alex, Zaven and Greg home.

Back on Aug. 6, the women stood before the media and pleaded for their sons' return. They spoke directly to their husbands and kids. I taped them on my digital audio recorder, but didn't have the ability to post their words here at the time. Now I figured it out.

So here are the women's pleas. The man introducing them is their attorney, Ronald Brot:

ZanniMeguerian.wav 

ChristineJeanbart.wav

Here is a transcript.

Jurors in Torrance just recommended that Barry Mosley, 48, be put to death for raping and strangling two women and a teenage girl in their Athens area homes.

It didn't take them long for such a serious decision. They've been listening for weeks to testimony about some of the most heinous acts anyone can commit -- Murder during rapes, burglaries and sodomy and multiple murders.

The jury's recommendation goes to Judge Mark Arnold, who will formally sentence Mosley at a later date.

We have Denise Nix and Douglas Morino in the courtroom and will have full coverage for you later.

Previous Mosley entries