A disturbing kidnapping and assault case out of Ohio has ended with a lengthy prison sentence for the woman authorities say orchestrated it all.
Martina Esqueda, 29, of Toledo, has been sentenced to at least 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree kidnapping and two counts of second-degree felonious assault.
Her sentence includes:
8 to 12 years for kidnapping
7 to 10.5 years for each assault charge
All to be served consecutively, with credit for more than a year already spent in custody.
According to investigators, Esqueda was living in a polyamorous household with her husband, Michael Esqueda, 28, and four other men: Aaron Bradshaw (49), Austin Bradshaw (28), David Cessna (26), and Chance Johnston (27).
The victim, Austyn McClellan, 26, had also been part of the household until a dispute in March 2025.
Authorities say Esqueda blamed McClellan for breaking her arm during an incident involving fighting dogs. Following that, she instructed the others to remove him from the home.
On March 14, 2025, McClellan was abducted and taken to a Red Roof Inn in Maumee, Ohio, where he was held captive for more than a week.
During that time, prosecutors say he was:
Beaten with a metal baseball bat
Forced to stand for extended periods
Given food and water only once per day
Deprived of sleep
The situation ended on March 21, when McClellan was allowed to go to a nearby Speedway store and managed to contact his mother, leading to his rescue and the arrests of those involved.
In court, Esqueda delivered an emotional statement expressing regret. Her defense attorney argued that childhood trauma and a lack of love contributed to her actions.
Judge Olender rejected that explanation, stating that Esqueda had taken her own pain and directed it toward another person.
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