Pair sentenced to 3 years in prison for roles in kidnapping

6/17/2014

BOWLING GREEN — A Toledo man and woman were each sentenced today to three years in prison for their involvement in the kidnapping of a University of Toledo student last year.

Brittany J. Long, 20, of 2606 Keygate Dr. and Nicholas H. Martinez, 19, of 1035 Park Lane both pleaded guilty March 27 to a reduced charge of abduction in the Aug. 18 abduction of Kun Liu. Prosecutors said the defendants held Mr. Liu for ransom after promising him a trip to Cedar Point over an online chat room.

Wood County Common Pleas Judge Robert Pollex also dismissed today a charge of aggravated robbery against each Long and Martinez, as part of a plea agreement. Both will be eligible for early release after serving six months in prison.

A third individual involved in the case — Long's brother, Blake L. Long, 21, of 5357 Florita Dr. — also entered a guilty plea in March. He will be sentenced July 22.

Co-defendant Hui Zhang, 24, 1540 Penn Rd., is scheduled to go to trial Aug. 25 for her involvement in the case. Brittany Long, Blake Long, and Martinez agreed to testify against Ms. Zhang as part of their plea deals, prosecutors said.

— Madeline Conway