BAKERSFIELD, CA -- A man was sentenced to 6 years in prison Thursday morning in connection with an extortion case out of McFarland.
Michael Wayne Culp was aquitted of kidnapping, torture and robbery, but convicted of attempted extortion last month.
He faced up to eight years behind bars. In August, Genoveva Ronquillo was sentenced to two years in prison for her role in the kidnap and torture of Ofelio Castrejon from McFarland in April 2012 for ransom.
"He was eventually rescued in Tulare after a number of ransom calls were made to the victim's family demanding anywhere from $50,000 cash to pounds of drugs," says Deputy District Attorney Cole McKnight.
"I am happy because my client didn't get life without the possibility of parole, not happy because I think the judge should have given my client less time," says defense attorney Arturo Revelo.
Another man is scheduled for trial January 27. A fourth defendant, Jasper Bagsby was sentenced to life without parole.
Michael Wayne Culp was aquitted of kidnapping, torture and robbery, but convicted of attempted extortion last month.
He faced up to eight years behind bars. In August, Genoveva Ronquillo was sentenced to two years in prison for her role in the kidnap and torture of Ofelio Castrejon from McFarland in April 2012 for ransom.
"He was eventually rescued in Tulare after a number of ransom calls were made to the victim's family demanding anywhere from $50,000 cash to pounds of drugs," says Deputy District Attorney Cole McKnight.
"I am happy because my client didn't get life without the possibility of parole, not happy because I think the judge should have given my client less time," says defense attorney Arturo Revelo.
Another man is scheduled for trial January 27. A fourth defendant, Jasper Bagsby was sentenced to life without parole.