Authorities have now charged four individuals for allegedly kidnapping the owner of a California marijuana dispensary, torturing him with a blowtorch and then severing his penis off in a desperate attempt to force the man to divulge the secret spot in the desert that they mistakenly thought he had buried piles of cash.
Ryan Anthony Kevorkian, 34, and Naomi Josette Kevorkian, 33, were arrested Friday in Fresno, California, while Hossein Nayeri, 34, was arrested Thursday as he attempted to flee to Iran. Kyle Shirakawa Handley, 34, was arrested in October 2012.
"On Oct. 2, 2012, Handley, Nayeri, and Ryan Kevorkian are accused of entering John Doe’s home with the intent to kidnap and rob him," the Orange County District Attorney said in a statement Friday. "Once inside, they are accused of zip-tying the victim’s wrists and torturing him, including severely beating him."
This image provided by the Orange County District Attorney's Office shows Kyle Handley, one of four people charged with kidnapping a California marijuana dispensary owner, torturing him with a blowtorch and cutting off his penis during a robbery because they thought he was burying piles of cash in the desert, authorities said Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/ Orange County District Attorney's Office)
The individuals then allegedly kidnapped the individual, put him in a van and drove him to the spot in the desert they believed he was hiding a large sum of money.
"They are accused of continuing to torture John Doe throughout the drive by burning him with a blow torch," the Orange County District Attorney said. "Once in the desert, the defendants are accused of sexually mutilating the victim by cutting off his penis."
"They are accused of pouring bleach on the victim in an effort to destroy any DNA evidence and dumping both victims on the side of the road," the DA continued, adding the defendants are also accused of "taking the victim's penis with them so that it could never be reattached."
The defendants are also accused of zip-tying and kidnapping the victims girlfriend, though authorities say she was "not physically harmed."
All four individuals are charged with two felony counts of kidnapping for ransom and one felony count each of aggravated mayhem, torture, and first degree residential burglary, the DA said.
They are currently being held without bail and face the possibility of life in prison without parole.
--
Follow Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) on Twitter
[related]
