KIDNAPPING:

Las Vegas man held in boy’s kidnapping freed

Feds take him into custody because of immigration status

By Mary Manning (contact)

Published Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008 | 2:16 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008 | 5:09 p.m.

Las Vegas Metro Police photo

Jose Lopez-Buelna

Metro Police

Cole Puffinburger

Oct. 22 -- The other outrage in kidnapping case
Oct. 22 -- Las Vegas resident in kidnapping case held, bail set
Oct. 20 -- Police make second arrest stemming from boy’s abduction
Oct. 18 -- Teachers tread lightly discussing classmate’s disappearance
Oct. 18 -- Kidnapped boy found unharmed
Oct. 16 -- Police: Grandfather might lead them to kidnapped boy
Oct. 16 -- Kidnapping leaves behind neighborhood of fear
Oct. 16 -- Police: Boy’s kidnapping linked to drug activity
Oct. 16 -- Latest kidnapping a reminder of unsolved 1978 abduction

A judge ordered a Las Vegas man arrested as a "person of interest" in the kidnapping a 6-year-old boy freed today after prosecutors didn't file charges against the man.

Police said Jose Lopez-Buelna had been linked to the abduction of Cole Puffinburger, who was missing for four days before a bus driver found him Oct. 18 wandering nighttime streets near Oakey Drive and 17th Street.

Lopez-Buelna has been turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, who can hold him up to 72 hours for a deportation hearing. Police have said he is an illegal immigrant who was deported to Mexico in 2003.

Metro Police served a search warrant at the Macadamia Drive address where Lopez-Buelna lived. The home's inventory included eight guns, ammunition, cell phones, computers, and a pair of black Vans tennis shoes -- a pair of which were worn by Cole at the time of his kidnapping.

Police and prosecutors didn't say how Lopez-Buelna's release affects the investigation of Cole's kidnapping, which police suspect might have been due to the boy's maternal grandfather dealing in drugs.

No suspects have been named in the kidnapping case.

Police are still investigating the kidnapping after two or three Hispanic men identifying themselves as police officers knocked on the front door of Cole's home. His mother opened the door and the men stormed into the house. They took Cole at gunpoint after tying up the boy's mother and her boyfriend and ransacking the house, police said.

Two other people linked to the investigation have been arrested. FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said 42-year-old Terri Leavy was taken into custody by Fontana, Calif., police. Leavy is believed to be the companion of 51-year-old Clemens Fred Tinnemeyer Jr., Cole's maternal grandfather. He was arrested in Riverside, Calif.

Both Leavy and Tinnemeyer were arrested on federal material warrants.

Police are still searching for a fourth man, Jesus Gastelum, who sometimes goes by the name Ferdinand Gastelum. Gastelum is a Mexican national and is described as being 5-foot-9, weighing 185 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair.

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

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By neiman1

Oct. 30, 2008

4:04 a.m.

Suggest removal

Why can't we seal the border and control who and what enters this country. Why do the leftist leaders want the border free flowing with drugs and hate from Mexico's Mafia. Every crime like this has politicians to blame and they are getting more numerous daily.
By johnevegas

Oct. 30, 2008

5:29 a.m.

Suggest removal

neiman - "Terri Leavy - Fontana, Calif. ...Fred Tinnemeyer Jr., Cole's maternal grandfather... Riverside, Calif."

Using your logic, we should seal the California border too. And do you honestly think sealing the border would keep your Mexican mafia out? Are you kidding me?

Aren't you the top 1% or 2% guy? Your constant harping on Mexicans says a lot about how you got there. Are you aware that you communicate that?
By starrynite7

Oct. 31, 2008

10:21 a.m.

Suggest removal

Johnevegas is right, mexicans are not a "catch-all" for the woes of the United States problems. We have 181 sexual preditors in Las Vegas and I am willing to bet that most of them are not mexican. We have criminals of ALL races around the Unites States, what will you rage about if the borders are sealed and we keep out illegals? Will you decide that all Irish people should be kept in Ireland because they drink green beer? Will the next target be people of all races who cause trouble? You need to stop venting about illegals because they are not going anywhere, nor should they. We all have a right to a better life. As a mom I can tell you that I would do whatever it took to ensure my child had access to a better life. You seem to act like Illegals are not people. They are people, moms, children, men who are trying to make a better life for their children. Wouldn't you do the same if you were in their position? The criminals that plague the United States come in all colors and that will never change. There is good and bad in all races. The border being walled up will not change anything here. Focus on problems that have solutions and stop posting all over the place about illegals. Stop hating so much, it is really getting old. Go work at a soup kitchen and you will see that problems come in all nationalities.