Kidnapping Victim José Andrade Says Narco Ballad Singer Larry Hernández Threaten His Life

Kidnapping victim speaks out in Al Rojo Vivo/Telemundo about being beaten and his life threatened by narco ballad singer Larry Hernández.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 5, 2015

Newberry, South Carolina - José Andrade, who became a kidnapping and assault victim over a $30,000 dance performance debt speaks out in Al Rojo Vivo/Telemundo. According to a Newberry County criminal complaint, Andrade was a victim of a kidnapping and assault on August 16. He told Al Rojo Vivo that he is not a dance promoter and at no time did he hire Mexican narco ballad singer Larry Hernández to perform at a dance in Newberry. Andrade said that he was a victim and was in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

Andrade identified Hernández as the person who had threatened his life twice while he was beaten and held against his will by Hernández, Jesús Ivan Solis and several other people who have not been identified. 

Roberto Gomez was identified as the dance promoter that actually hired Larry Hernández to perform in Newberry. Gomez failed to pay Hernández the $30K. He told Univision that he would not confirm whether he paid Hernández in full or deny it. Andrade was Gomez's chauffeur who was kidnapped and assaulted by Hernández and Solis.
Last Wednesday, Hernández, 38, waived extradition at a San Bernardino County Superior Court to face multiple felony charges in Newberry County, South Carolina. 

Hernández was charged in Newberry County with kidnapping, assault and battery by mob beating in the 3rd-degree, according to a press release by the Newberry Police Department.

On September 25, Hernández was taken into custody at the Ontario Airport by authorities as he attempted to board a flight to Colorado. Hernández was booked in the San Bernardino County Jail and was held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, California, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office.

Hernández was arrested in connection with the August 16 alleged kidnapping and beating of José Andrade from Newberry associated with Lisandro Velásquez, another dance promoter from Illinois. Andrade was the kidnapped victim and Velásquez was forced to get the rest of the money owed for the Hernández gig in Newberry.

According to the Newberry County District Attorney's Office criminal complaint, Velásquez paid $14,000 of a $30,000 contract agreement to perform at a dance held at a skating rink. Velásquez couldn't pay the remaining balance so members of the band with the knowledge of Hernández held an associate of Velásquez. Andrade was held against his will until the full payment was paid by Velásquez. Andrade was wrapped in plastic and beaten by band members. Police was able to get video surveillance footage from a hallway of the Hampton Inn where it showed Andrade being beaten as he was taken to a room by the suspects including Hernández. Andrade was able to escape after he was left alone in the room and notified Newberry police, according to the criminal complaint.

Jesús Evan Solis, 25, of Rio Grande, Texas was also charged with three felony counts for kidnapping, assault and battery by mob in the 3rd-degree along with Hernández. Solis was taken into custody on September 25 in Colorado and is being held without bail. Solis is expected to be extradited to S. Carolina to face charges as well. Solis and Hernández are accused of beating up the kidnapped victim. 

Hernández originally from Los Angeles, gained his popularity in 2009 for depicting the Mexican drug cartel culture in his album that included 16 ballad songs of Narco songs. He won an award for the Mexican Regional Artist of the Year for 2012 Premio Lo Nuestro Awards. In 2010, he won the Latin Artist of the Year in the New category for the Latin Billboard Music Awards. In 2011, Hernández won Regional Mexican Airplay Artist of the Year and Regional Mexican Albums Artist of the Year for the Latin Billboard Music Awards.

Hernández is also the star of a reality show called Larrymania.