NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A teenager who was previously deported from the United States allegedly kidnapped a high school student in an attempt to get the him to join a gang, according to an arrest affidavit.
In April, the victim came forward to report the kidnapping. He told officers Franklin Pineda-Caceres, 18, repeatedly tried to recruit him to be a member of MS13 in January. The arrest affidavit said Pineda-Caceres is a member of the street gang.
Days later, Pineda-Caceres -- along with two other unidentified men -- went to Glencliff High School, where the victim was enrolled, grabbed him and forced him into a vehicle. The victim said he was taken to an apartment where Pineda-Caceres asked him again to join the gang.
The affidavit said when the victim refused, the three men beat him. Months later the victim reported still experiencing pain in his ribs from the assault.
The Department of Justice said Pineda-Caceres was deported from the country to Honduras in May 2018.
Pineda-Caceres was first arrested by Metro police for drug crimes when officers were at a home serving an arrest warrant for another person in October 2017.
The DOJ said Pineda-Caceres unlawfully entered the U.S. in 2014. A final order of removal was issued in June 2016.
In February 2018, he was transferred to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations before his deportation.
On July 17, HSI and Metro officers learned Pineda-Caceres returned to the U.S. and attempted to arrest him for kidnapping the Glencliff High School student.
Detectives were surveilling a home when Pineda-Caceres pulled up in a vehicle in front of the house. The arrest affidavit said he fled police by driving through the front yard, nearly hitting three people.
A citizen later reported to police dispatch a vehicle matching Pineda-Ceceres' was seen speeding at about 100 mph on Briley Parkway. His vehicle was found abandoned with cocaine, marijuana and digital scales inside.
He was caught on September 15 after a crash, the DOJ said. After being taken to the hospital, Metro officers identified and arrested him on the outstanding aggravated kidnapping warrant.
Pineda-Ceceres is now being charged by the DOJ for illegally re-entering the U.S., a crime punishable up to two years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
