A Salem man was sentenced to 16 years and four months in prison Tuesday for robbing and beating a man with a wooden bat in a $20,000 kidnapping plot.

Mario Huerta-Banuelos, 34, and his wife Rosa Reyes-Castro, 28, were arrested in March 2018 by Marion County Sheriff's Office deputies.

According to a probable statement, Huerta-Banuelos, Reyes-Castro, and Maximo Villanueva-Salazar were accused of kidnapping the victim and taking him to a house on the 4000 block of Mahrt Ave. NE.

The victim told investigators the three suspects used black zip ties to secure his hands, tied him up with rope, put duct tape over his mouth and accused him of stealing drugs, guns and money.

The victim said that once at the home, Huerta-Banuelos hit him with a wooden bat about 50 times, fracturing his left arm and right knee cap.

One of his kidnappers later called an unknown person on speakerphone. The victim said he overheard the person say, "if you're not sure and he's not talking, then he doesn't know anything."

The victim told investigators he agreed to pay $20,000 in exchange for his freedom. His kidnappers later drove him to a nearby bank, took his wallet and identification, smashed his iPhone and let him go.

He said they threatened to kill him and his family if he contacted police. They warned him they would be watching to make sure he didn't report the assault and kidnapping.

He said he swore he would not tell police.

The victim was later taken to Salem Hospital with a broken arm and knee cap, extensive bruising and rope burns.

After serving a search warrant at Huerta-Banuelos's home on Mahart Avenue, investigators discovered the victim's identification cards, zip ties and duct tape.

Huerta-Banuelos and Reyes-Castro were arrested and held without bail. A warrant for issued for Villanueva-Salazar's arrest but he remains at large

Following a joint court trial in February, Reyes-Castro was convicted of first-degree kidnapping and coercion. She was sentenced March 6 to seven years and six months in prison.

Huerta-Banuelos was convicted of first-degree kidnapping with the intent to injure and terrorize, second-degree assault, third-degree assault, first-degree robbery and coercion.

According to court records, Huerta-Banuelos, who was originally from Mexico, was convicted of illegal entry into the United States in 2007 and 2015. He also faced a felony conviction for unlawful possession of a fictitious I.D. in 2018.

First-degree robbery, first-degree kidnapping and second-degree assault are all Measure 11 offenses requiring mandatory minimum prison sentences. Robbery and kidnapping each carry a sentence of seven years and six months. Second-degree assault requires a minimum sentence of five years and 10 months.

Prosecutors recommended that Huerta-Banuelos serve the Measure 11 convictions consecutively for a total sentence of almost 21 years in prison.

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Huerta-Banuelos's attorney Scott Howell argued for a shorter sentence of seven years and six months, saying it would "adequately punish" him while still allowing him the opportunity to benefit from post-prison supervision programs.

He said Huerta-Banuelos has a 5-year-old step-daughter and at the time of his arrest, was starting his own business renting chairs and tables for parties.

Marion County Judge Donald Abar sentenced Huerta-Banuelos to a total of 16 years and four months in prison with credit for time served. He will not be eligible for early release or alternative programming.

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For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodwort@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth