Mexican Couple Wanted for Kidnapping Arrested in Franklin County

A couple wanted in Mexico on kidnappinng charges are headed back to Mexico after being captured in Lavonia.

Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas said the arrest came November 6 with the help of agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Atlanta field office.

According to Thomas, 43-year old Arminda Espinoza-Albarran and 41-year old Jose Mendez-Paniagua were wanted in Michoacan, Mexico in connection with a 2004 kidnapping and attempted murder.

No other details of the case were provided. In 2014, Interpol put an international lookout for the pair.

Thomas did not say whether the couple was living in the area, nor the details of where or howAthey were found.

The pair are now in the custody of immigration officials and are awaiting extradition back to Mexico.