Juan Luis Montoya-Pego, a 27-year-old member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, and Nickol May Jackson, a 26-year-old Mount Pleasant resident, were arraigned Monday in the 76th District Court in Mount Pleasant in connection to the incident.

According to the Michigan State Police, the victim, Farhang Silevany, was attending a party at Jackson's trailer home residence Friday morning on Isabella Road when he was assaulted by the suspects. He was bound by duct tape, thrown into the trunk of Montoya-Pego's maroon 2004 Chevy Impala and dumped in a Grand Rapids alley 90 miles away.

Silevany stated that Montoya-Pego choked him, held a knife to his throat and bound him in duct tape. According to court documents, he stated Jackson assisted in binding him with duct tape and took his wallet and cell phone.

He was dumped in an alley near Turner Avenue and Mrytle Street in Grand Rapids around 11 a.m. Friday, said Sgt. Del Putnam of the Michigan State Police Mount Pleasant post.

According to court documents, witnesses confirmed seeing a dark skinned male with a shaved head, Montoya-Pego, pulling the victim out of the Impala's trunk, dumping him in an alley and then fleeing the scene at a high speed.

Grand Rapids Police found Silevany with duct tape bound to his wrists, ankles, shoulders and mouth and started conducting the investigation with the help of state, local and federal agencies.

The suspects were taken into custody within 48 hours of the initial Grand Rapids Police report, according to a release.

Montoya-Pego was arrested at a motel in Alma, where his Chevy Impala was found. Court documents state he purchased the car two days prior to the crime.

Montoya-Pego admitted to fighting with Silevany at Jackson's residence, but denied any further involvement, the documents stated.

A search warrant of the 700 block residence of South Isabella Road, where the incident occurred, resulted in the seizure of Silevany's ID, wallet and other evidence and property.

Putnam said Silevany and Montoya-Pego were acquaintances and the incident started from an argument.

"It wasn't about money," Putnam said. "They had a dispute and they (the suspects) were taking out their frustrations."

The victim suffered only minor injuries and some bruises, Putnam said.

According to court documents, Jackson confessed to witnessing Montoya-Pego holding Silevany down on a couch at her residence with a knife to his throat.

She also confessed to slapping Silevany in the face and binding his arms, legs and mouth with duct tape. She said she saw Montoya-Pego put Silevany in his Chevy Impala's trunk.

Montoya-Pego remains lodged in Isabella County Jail on a $500,000 bond. He was charged with armed-robbery, unlawful imprisonment and assault with a dangerous weapon and faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Jackson remains lodged in Isabella County Jail on a $200,000 bond and is charged with unlawful imprisonment and assault with a dangerous weapon. She faces up to 15 years in prison.

Montoya-Pego has prior criminal charges including breaking and entering and larceny with a firearm. Jackson also has prior arrests relating to theft.

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