Suspects Accused of Armed Kidnapping and Operating Outside Legal Authority of Bail Bondsmen
A joint investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) has led to the arrest of four men on charges including armed kidnapping and violation of Florida’s bail bond statutes.
Alexander Michael Rispa, 43, of Homestead; Luis Angel Hernandez Salas, 34, of Florida City; Eduardo Francisco Caceres, 47, of Miami-Dade County; and Juan Carlos Soto Arraga, 30, also of Miami-Dade County, have been charged for acting outside the legal authority granted to bail bondsmen.
“These men knowingly took advantage of the system and violated Florida State Statutes,” said Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. “We are a law-and-order state. We will not tolerate individuals fraudulently presenting themselves, or any other financial crimes, as they impact the citizens of our great State of Florida.”
According to the investigation, the suspects allegedly engaged in a scheme to defraud, with Rispa, Hernandez Salas, and Caceres facing additional charges of armed kidnapping and battery. All four men are also charged with unlawful use of a two-way communication device, violation of licensure and appointment requirements, and conspiracy.
The investigation began on May 14 after a DFS detective contacted FDLE Miami about a bail bonds company operating illegally in Monroe and Miami-Dade counties. The joint effort revealed that on January 1, 2022, Rispa, Caceres, and Hernandez Salas allegedly entered a victim’s home with firearms and forcibly removed them without proper authorization. During the incident, the suspects were reportedly wearing badges and body armor with “AGENT” on them, a violation of Florida Statute.
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass stated, “These individuals disregarded the regulations for bail bonds and acted outside of their appointed duties by forcibly removing the victims from their homes while armed. The commendable joint effort between our FDLE agents and DFS investigators was a key factor in holding these schemers accountable.”
The investigation further revealed that Rispa and Hernandez Salas were not appointed by the insurance company listed in their records on the date the alleged crime occurred. Additionally, Soto Arraga, who is not a licensed or appointed Florida bail bond agent, is accused of making unlawful contact with multiple inmates in Monroe County between May 2023 and January 2024.
On September 16, Rispa, Hernandez Salas, and Soto Arraga turned themselves in at the Monroe County Jail. Caceres surrendered to the FDLE Miami Regional Operations Center on September 17 and was subsequently transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Detention Center.
Following the arrests, agents and detectives conducted multiple search warrants in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. The case is being prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office of the 16th Judicial Circuit.
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