Jurijus Kadamovas and Iouri Mikhel
Jurijus Kadamovas and Iouri Mikhel are immigrants to the United States, from Lithuania and Russia respectively, currently on Federal death row for 5 kidnappings and murder. The kidnappings occurred over a four-month period beginning in late 2001, in which the kidnappers demanded ransom. Documents related to the case allege the crew demanded a total of more than $5.5 million from relatives and associates, and received more than $1 million from victim's relatives. Prosecutors said the victims were killed regardless of whether the ransoms were paid. The bodies were tied with weights, and dumped in the New Melones reservoir near Yosemite National Park. Federal prosecutors sought the death penalty under murder during a hostage-taking,, a federal crime.
On March 12, 2007, Kadamovas and Mikhel were sentenced to death. Four others were sentenced for participating in the plot, receiving sentences ranging from 11 years to life imprisonment.
