Six Charged in Alleged Kidnapping and Torture of 26-Year-Old Man in Maumee

MAUMEE, Ohio – Authorities have charged six individuals in connection with the alleged kidnapping and torture of a 26-year-old man, according to police reports from Maumee, Ohio.

The victim is believed to have been abducted on March 14 and held for over a week at a Red Roof Inn in Maumee. During this time, police say he was subjected to severe physical abuse, including beatings with a baseball bat, forced to stand for prolonged periods, and permitted only one meal and one drink per day. Reports indicate the victim managed to get just about 10 hours of sleep during the entire week.

Maumee Police Chief Josh Sprow described the horrific nature of the abuse. "He was being essentially tortured, assaulted, over the time frame of a week,” Sprow said, noting that the victim sustained multiple fractures from being struck and stomped on by his captors.

The situation came to light when the victim was allowed to leave his captors for a brief visit to a Speedway convenience store on March 21. There, he reached out to an acquaintance, who promptly contacted the victim's mother. Upon learning of her son’s predicament, she rushed to the Red Roof Inn and alerted the police.

Authorities subsequently obtained warrants and closely monitored the hotel, leading to the arrest of the six suspects. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he is expected to survive, although he suffered extensive injuries.

Among those arrested are Martina Jones, 28; Aaron Bradshaw, 49; Austin Bradshaw, 23; David Cessna, 26; Michael Esqueda, 28; and Chance Johnston, 27. The police chief indicated that it remains unclear whether the victim knew his captors prior to the incident or if it was a random act.

Initial investigations suggest that Jones was the mastermind behind the kidnapping and assault, allegedly directing the men to carry out the attacks. It has also been revealed that she shares a romantic relationship with all five male suspects and has children with them.

"This is clearly a strange situation when you have multiple adult men involved in a relationship with a female, and then this whole felonious assault/kidnapping taking place," Sprow commented.

The suspects were apprehended just as they were reportedly planning to flee the area. Following a court appearance in Toledo, each suspect had their bond set at $200,000. On Thursday, a grand jury indicted all six on multiple charges, including one count of kidnapping, three counts of felonious assault, and two counts of tampering with evidence.