U.S. lawmaker denies ransom for kidnapped Mexican family member

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A Texas congressman said he had no involvement in an alleged ransom payment to free one of his wife’s distant relatives, who was kidnapped in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez. The incident is the latest example of the rampant violence that is afflicting Mexican border towns €-- and possibly the closest that violence has come to directly affecting the U.S. Congress.

The Washington Times newspaper reported Friday that at the request of Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents helped ‘facilitate’€ a $32,000 ransom to free Erika Posselt, a Mexican national who was abducted June 19 from the auto glass store she owns in Juarez.

ICE officials said the agency played no role in negotiating with the kidnappers or in paying a ransom. At the request of Mexican law enforcement officials, ICE did provide logistical and technical assistance, officials said, providing secure office space and helping with interviews. ‘Contrary to some media reports, ICE had no role in the negotiation of the release of the individual or provision of ransom in this case,’ an ICE statement said.

Posselt was held for three days, according to the report, during which her captors threatened to kill her and then lowered their initial demand of a $500,000 ransom to $32,000 payable in U.S. and Mexican currency.

Reyes, who is chairman of the influential House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, denied he played a role in Posselt’€™s release and said he had never met the woman. ‘This kidnapping was reported to Congressman Reyes’ district office by the victim’s family, who are citizens of the United States and constituents of the 16th District of Texas. The congressman’s staff immediately notified law enforcement authorities,’ said a statement put out by Reyes’ office.

€’While the congressman was kept apprised of the situation, he had no other role. Any suggestion that Congressman Reyes somehow influenced the actions of law enforcement is false,€’ the statement said. A spokesman for Reyes said he could not comment on whether a ransom was paid.

--Nicole Gaouette in Washington

Photo: Rep. Silvestre Reyes / Getty Images