Suspects in kidnapping turned deadly FBI rescue operation appear in court

HOUSTON – While the court appearance for Jimmy Sanchez was standard, new insight was shed into possible new charges he may or may not face.

On Wednesday morning, Sanchez received a court-appointed attorney and the prosecution filed motion to deny him bail, which the judge accepted. 

The other defendant in the case, Nicholas Cunningham appeared in court Wednesday afternoon. Cunningham is being held without bond. He spoke briefly with his attorney before the judge reset his case for March 1. Cunningham is charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery.

The third suspect, Sophia Heath will be in court at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Tucker Graves, Sanchez's attorney, says he plans to file a motion for a bail hearing to see if his client could possibly be released on bond.

KPRC spoke to Graves about that bail hearing and we talked with prosecutor Kelly Blackburn about the possibility of Sanchez receiving a capital murder charge, given the accused kidnapping lead to a death.

“The FBI is not a party to this offense. The FBI didn't intentionally kill our victim in this case. Because of that, because the death wasn't intentional you can’t charge capital murder,” Blackburn said. 

Despite facing serious charges, Sanchez appeared calm and relaxed in court Wednesday morning. He did not enter a plea and a new court date has been set for March 1. 

Ulises Villadares, the kidnapping victim, was shot and killed by an FBI agent during the rescue mission. 


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