It better be a hoax or some one is gonna pay

["SOLID Bro!!"]

Kidnap or hoax?

That's the question surrounding the disappearance of an Army private stationed in south Texas.

Pfc. James Gonzalez, 24, was last seen July 11 at his mother's house near Corpus Christi, when he told his family he was heading with friends to the border town of Laredo, his older brother, J.C. Gonzalez, told The Associated Press.

On July 13, the day Gonzalez was to return to base, Gonzalez's commander called looking for the private, J.C. Gonzalez said.

Later that day, he said, the FBI contacted the family to say that the Army had received a call saying Gonzalez had been kidnapped.

The caller demanded $100,000 and the withdrawal of all troops from the border, the family said.

J.C. Gonzalez said his brother was familiar with Laredo and had not mentioned any plans to cross into Mexico, directly across the Rio Grande.

For the past week, his cell phone has gone straight to voicemail, he has not logged into his MySpace Web page and authorities have not been able to track his car, a 2006 BMW, which was fitted with a tracking device, the soldier's brother said.

The Army and the FBI are confirming little about the case. The FBI is referring questions to the Army, which is leading the investigation.

• LIVESHOTS BLOG: What Happened to Private Gonzalez?

If Gonzalez was going to take off, "he would have told somebody," his brother said. "It's not like him at all."

Gonzalez was awaiting trial this fall on misdemeanor charges stemming from an argument with his girlfriend. His brother said that situation was being handled and would have been no reason for him to disappear.

Christopher Grey, chief public affairs officer for the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command in northern Virginia, said the Army was cooperating with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in the search for Gonzalez.
Related Stories

* Missing Soldier Kidnapped, Held for Ransom, Brother Says

Grey said the Army would not discuss details of the case, including whether it received a ransom call. The Army had issued an advisory in the border region asking people to be on the lookout for Gonzalez and to contact local law enforcement with information on his whereabouts, Grey said.

The family says it has been frustrated by the Army's response.

"We don't feel the Army is taking it as seriously as we are," J.C. Gonzalez said.

James Gonzalez's decision to join the Army about a year and a half ago surprised his family, but they supported the decision, J.C. Gonzalez said. It seemed to be a good change for him.

"He was pretty happy," his brother said. "He had a house, a car and had taken that step to manhood. He was enjoying himself."

About 575 National Guard troops remain on the border, but thousands who had been patrolling the area withdrew last year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[MICK]

The Mexican "mafia" if you will...has done this for years. If that is indeed the case. They know Americans have money...they know most families will pay good to get someone back. It is highly frowned upon for military or military family members to visit Mexico. Even service members native to Mexico don't approve of family going back to visit frequently. I heard...and this is totally word of mouth (from a Mexican go figure)...that last year getting paid ransom was the third highest wage in Mexico? Even Ft. Bliss no longer allows soldiers to visit Mexico, which is right accross the street. Instead they lowered the drinking age to 18, extended curfues and built all kinds of clubs and bars to keep soldiers on post and avoid them getting taken hostage. The local Mexican government agencies as I understand are also a member of these hostage scenarios to a large degree.

[100hp honda]

this stuff happens all the time in AZ to regular citizens. seems like i just read phoenix was the kidnap capitol. beaners cross the border and hold people for ransom.