Lino Lakes Felon Charged Federally with Methamphetamine Trafficking, Firearms Violations in Connection to Kidnapping, Torture Case

MINNEAPOLIS - Jose Angel Chapa-Aguilera has been charged in a federal indictment with drug trafficking and firearms violations in connection to the December 2021 kidnapping and torture of a man, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to state and federal court documents, Chapa-Aguilera, 24, of Lino Lakes, was in possession of quantities of methamphetamine and unlawfully possessed 9mm semi-automatic handguns on two different occasions.

In April 2021 Chapa-Aguilera used a false name during a traffic stop in Nobles County which later resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine and a firearm from the vehicle he was driving near Worthington, Minnesota.

On December 20, 2021, at a Brooklyn Park residence, Chapa-Aguilera allegedly confronted a man about a drug debt. During the confrontation, Chapa-Aguilera pulled out a handgun and pointed it at a victim's head. Chapa-Aguilera then ordered the victim to the ground and tied his hands behind his back and proceeded to beat and torture the victim for hours before barricading the victim in a crawlspace under the house. The victim was eventually able to escape once Chapa-Aguilera left the house. The victim suffered extensive injuries, including numerous burns, broken ribs, a large laceration above his eye, and required a blood transfusion. Law enforcement seized methamphetamine from Chapa-Aguilera's residence during a search warrant executed shortly thereafter. Law enforcement eventually captured Chapa-Aguilera on January 7, 2022, and found him in possession of a firearm.

Chapa-Aguilera has also been charged in Hennepin County District Court with first-degree assault and kidnapping in connection with the December 2021 incident.

The federal indictment against Chapa-Aguilera charges him with two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of brandishing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and two counts of illegally possessing firearms as a felon. Because Chapa-Aguilera has a prior felony conviction in Anoka County for second degree assault he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

Chapa-Aguilera made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson. He will remain in federal custody pending further court proceedings.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Hennepin County Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF), and the Brooklyn Park Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.