Metro ATL Man Pleads In Alleged Kidnapping Of CT Couple: Prosecutors

PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA — A Peachtree Corners man is pleading not guilty in connection with the August 2024 kidnapping of two people during a carjacking in Connecticut.

The news was announced Monday by Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Marc H. Silverman.

According to his office, 22-year-old James Schwab is one of multiple men accused in the kidnapping of the couple in Danbury, Connecticut. Six Florida men were arrested by Danbury Police on Aug. 25, 2024, Silverman's office stated.

They were previously identified by prosecutors as:

• Angel Borrero, also known as “Chi Chi,” 23, of Miami, Florida
• Josue Alberto Romero, also known as “Sway,” 26, of Miami, Florida
• Reynaldo Diaz, also known as “Rey,” 20, of Belle Clade, Florida
• Anthony Pena, also known as “Tony,” 23, of Miami Gardens, Florida
• Michael Rivas, 18, of Miami, Florida
• Ricardo Estrada, also known as “Ricky,” 21, of Miami, Florida

The group is accused of violently carjacking a Lamborghini Urus with two people inside at the time. Silverman's office identified the victims were the parents of someone "who is suspected of participating in the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency."

Schwab was accused of engaging in a dispute with the victims' son in July 2024 at a Miami nightclub. According to Silverman's office, Schwab was regularly in contact with some of the suspected kidnappers days before the carjacking.

He was accused of giving funding for the carjacking and helping to arrange the suspected kidnappers' transportation and lodging.

Authorities arrested Schwab on a federal criminal complaint on Jan. 29, 2025 at the Los Angeles International Airport. He was returning from a trip from Bali, Indonesia at the time, Silverman's office stated.

About a month later, a New Haven, Connecticut grand jury indicted Schwab on one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Silverman's office stated the charge carries a life in prison maximum sentence.

On March 12, Schwab pled not guilty in Bridgeport federal court, Silverman's office stated. He has been detained since his arrest.

Additionally, five of the six Florida men who were charged in connection with the carjacking and kidnapping have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, Silverman's office stated.