Man gets 37-year sentence for kidnapping FBI employee in South Dakota

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — One of three people convicted of carjacking and kidnapping an FBI employee in South Dakota has been sentenced to 37 years in prison.

Juan Alvarez-Sorto was sentenced Friday in federal court. He and Deyvin Morales were found guilty in January. Alvarez-Sorto also was convicted of unlawfully entering the U.S. after being deported to his home country, El Salvador.

The third suspect, Karla Lopez-Gutierrez, pleaded guilty in August. Morales and Lopez-Gutierrez are awaiting sentencing.

The crime happened in 2022. The victim was able to escape during a stop at a gas station.

A lawyer for Alvarez-Sorto says he is remorseful for the crime.

April 17, 2024