FBI * 9797 Aero Drive * San Diego, California 92123 * (858) 565-1255                                 For Immediate Release April 7, 2008 Contact: Darrell Foxworth (858) 499-7810 April Langwell (858) 499-7917

Former U.S. Customs Inspector Sentenced in Kidnapping Investigation

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that John Alan Carman, a former U.S. Customs inspector and private investigator, was sentenced today in United States District Court in San Diego by the Honorable Marilyn L. Huff to serve 60 months in custody based upon his conviction for conspiracy to kidnap a person in a foreign country. Judge Huff also ordered that Carman serve a three-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.

In September 2007, a federal jury found Carman guilty of Conspiracy to Kidnap a Person in a Foreign Country. According to the evidence presented at trial, Carman conspired with another to kidnap and hold for ransom a business associate's former girlfriend while she was vacationing in Mexico. Numerous emails and recorded telephone conversations were presented at trial detailing how a mock arrest would be staged and how the victim would be held for $500,000 ransom.

United States Attorney Hewitt commended the outstanding work of the FBI agents who investigated this matter. The defendant has been in custody since his arrest.

DEFENDANT Case Number: 07cr0835-H
John Alan Carman Age: 54

SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Kidnap a Person in a Foreign Country (Title 18, United States Code, Section 956)

AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation