Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Kidnapping his Estranged Wife

SAN DIEGO - Chad Oso of La Mesa was sentenced in federal court today to 121 months in prison for kidnapping his estranged wife and violently tearing her away from their two young children, who were left home alone as he forced their mother into his vehicle and drove away.

Oso was convicted of kidnapping by a federal jury in March. According to evidence presented at the trial, Oso showed up at the victim's La Mesa home on September 17, 2024, unannounced and uninvited. Oso made demands of the victim, but she rejected them. Oso became increasingly aggressive, escalating the confrontation to the point where the victim left the apartment in an attempt to alert a nearby neighbor.

Oso chased after her, beat her, dragged her down the stairs to the garage of the apartment complex and forced her into the hatchback area of his Toyota RAV4. He then drove the victim away from her home against her will, away from her children who were left alone with the door to their home wide open.

Oso then drove around La Mesa, refusing to let the victim go while she desperately tried to escape. The victim banged on the back window of the hatchback area of the RAV4 and screamed for help so loudly and desperately that members of the community saw her, were alarmed and called 911.

Police responded to the victim's apartment complex, called Oso and told him to bring the victim home. But Oso did not bring the victim home. Instead, he drove the victim, against her will into Mexico, to leave her in the "desert."

Once in Mexico, the victim stuck her hand out of the car window and pleaded for help from Mexican Customs Officials, who then directed the car back to the United States Border. There Customs and Border Protection officers rescued the victim and arrested Oso.

The victim suffered injuries to her face, head, chin, arms, hands, and legs as a result of Oso beating her, dragging her and forcing her into his car.

"Violently ripping a mother away from her young children is an unconscionable act of violence and cruelty," said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. "We will always stand with victims and fight for justice on their behalf."

"Today's sentencing underscores the extreme violence the defendant was willing to inflict and the grave danger his actions posed to the victim," said Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily of the FBI San Diego Field Office. "We commend the citizens who reported what they witnessed and thank our partners at the La Mesa Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Their quick actions directly contributed to the victim's safe recovery and return to her children. The FBI remains committed to pursuing justice for victims of violent crime and working with all of our law enforcement partners to continue reducing violent crime in our community."

"This case is a stark reminder of how quickly domestic violence can escalate into life-threatening violence," said La Mesa Police Chief Ray Sweeney. "We are grateful to the members of the La Mesa community who recognized the danger and immediately called 911. Their actions, together with the response of law enforcement and the outstanding work of the U.S. Attorney's Office, helped bring this terrifying ordeal to an end and hold the defendant accountable."

"CBP officers acted quickly and decisively to protect the victim and take the defendant into custody," said Sidney Aki, Director of Field Operations for CBP's San Diego Field Office. "I am proud of their swift response and grateful for the coordination among our federal, local, and international law enforcement partners, whose collective efforts helped bring this dangerous situation to an end."

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Sherwood and Evangeline Dech.

Anyone who needs assistance can contact the National Domestic Violence HotlineLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.. Free and confidential help is available 24/7 at 800-799-SAFE (7233)or text START to 88788

DEFENDANT Case Number 24cr2134-RBM

Chad Oso Age: 55 La Mesa, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Kidnapping (18 U.S.C. §1201)

Maximum penalty: Life in prison and a $250,000 fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation

La Mesa Police Department

United States Border and Customs Protection