Las Vegas Man Who Stole $4.5 Mil Says He's Lucky Grandson Was Kidnapped
(CBS/AP) Clemens Tinnemeyer, a Las Vegas man whose grandson was kidnapped two years ago after Tinnemeyer stole millions in alleged drug money, told a federal jury Thursday he was lucky the boy was abducted because it led to a government deal for his testimony about an international cocaine ring.
Clemens Fred Tinnemeyer, 54, said in U.S. District Court that he was suicidal, homicidal and "a little crazy" after seeing a television news report that his 6-year-old grandson, Cole Puffinburger, had been abducted in October 2008.
More than a day later, Tinnemeyer turned himself in to authorities, and confessed to driving drugs around Mexico and the United States and stealing $4.5 million from a hidden compartment in a recreational vehicle - in exchange for immunity.
The details of Tinnemeyer's deal with prosecutors are unknown because the case was sealed in February 2009.
Prosecutors claimed defendant Jose Lopez-Buelna, 50, led the drug operation and took the boy, Cole, after Tinnemeyer ran away with the money and didn't return.
However, both sides said in opening statements Wednesday that Tinnemeyer was the reason the boy was taken from his home in 2008.
Tinnemeyer testified that at Lopez-Buelna's request, he drove the recreational vehicle from Mexicali, Mexico, to Las Vegas, then to California and eventually to Atlanta and New York. He said he made several trips and was paid at least $25,000 in "cash money" each time.
Tinnemeyer reportedly found the money in a hidden compartment while driving the RV from Tennessee into Mississippi.
After Tinnemeyer was arrested, he and his girlfriend, Terri Lynn Leavy, were charged with interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises, according to a criminal complaint.
Prosecutors said that Cole's mother and boyfriend were held at gunpoint at their home while men searched for the stolen money. The boy was taken when the men couldn't find any money, authorities said.
Cole was not harmed in the ordeal and was returned to a Las Vegas neighborhood three days after he was taken.
Lopez-Buelna's attorney claimed the boy changed his story about the kidnapping over four interviews with investigators, insinuating that the boy was coached by his mother.
Lopez-Buelna has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to launder money, money laundering, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit hostage taking and hostage taking.