Four Sacramento Men Charged in Federal Grand Jury Indictment Alleging They Kidnapped Antelope Valley Businessman

LOS ANGELES - Three Sacramento men have been arrested on a two-count indictment charging them with kidnapping an Antelope Valley business owner at gunpoint last year, in an alleged attack in which the victim was beaten, his home was burglarized, and he was abandoned in a desolate part of California, the Justice Department announced today. A fourth defendant remains at large.

The indictment, returned August 27 and unsealed Tuesday, charges the following defendants with two counts of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping:

• Shanjeet Brar, 57;
• Jerome Franklin Jr., 43;
• Peter Arafiles Jr., 29; and
• Andrae Hawkins, 39.

Brar, Arafiles, and Hawkins, who were arrested last week, are expected to be arraigned in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks. Franklin remains at large.

"These defendants are charged with putting the victim through a terrifying ordeal, one that will leave lasting emotional and psychological scars," said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. "We will not tolerate such brazen acts of violence and will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to ensure stiff penalties for perpetrators of such violent acts."

"The community can rest assured that the perpetrators of this violent and heinous kidnapping are now in custody and will face serious consequences for their actions," said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. "The exemplary collaboration and perseverance from the men and women of the FBI and our law enforcement partners resulted in today's arrests and have made our streets safer."

According to the indictment and underlying criminal complaint, on October 27, 2023, the defendants traveled from Sacramento to Lancaster to kidnap the victim at gunpoint from the victim's workplace. They beat the victim, zip-tied his hands, and duct-taped his turban over his face. They demanded $100,000 or more from him, as well as gold and jewelry. They threatened to kill the victim if he did not comply with their demands and told him, "This is your last day."

While the victim was kidnapped, some of the defendants traveled to the victim's home to burglarize it. After the victim's wife noticed the burglars on their home security system, she contacted the victim's phone, which was in the kidnappers' possession. The kidnappers eventually abandoned the victim in a desolate area.

Brar allegedly rented one of the two vehicles used in the kidnapping - specifically, the one used in the burglary.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted of all charges, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.

The FBI and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are investigating this matter.

Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe of the Violent and Organized Crime are prosecuting this matter.

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