A man who kidnaped four Youngstown men and killed three of them will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. 

Elias Gudino appeared in court virtually from Summit County Jail when Judge Mary Rowlands sentenced him to 23 years to life in prison. 

“This was a planned out heinous and cold blooded crime the resulted in the execution of three individuals,” Zachary Neumann, a Summit County Prosecutor said. 

Gudino had to listen through a Spanish translator. He chose to not make a statement in court and none of the victims family members or the surviving victim came. 

Prosecutors asked the judge for the maximum amount of time, life in prison without parole. 

“It is my opinion that Mr. Gudino has shown zero remorse,” Neumann said. 

The defense didn't ask for a specific sentence, saying any amount of time wouldn't make a difference for the 59-year-old.

“The ultimate result is going to be the same. Unless he is successful on his appeal Mr. Gudino will die in prison,” John Greven, Gudino’s Defense attorney 

In 2023, Gudino went to a home in Youngstown and kidnapped Inmer Reyes, 25, Victor Varela-Rodriguez, 31, and Domingo Castillo-Reyes, 35 and fourth man. He tied their hands, taped their mouths shut, drove them to the side of the road in Akron and shot them. One of the men survived saying the bullet missed his head and he played dead.

“When we look at the seriousness of the crime it doesn't get more serious than that,” Neumann said. 

Prosecutors said during the trial that Gudino went to the home to find a man his wife was dating and when he didn’t find him he took the others hostage. Gudino always maintained that he was the one who kidnapped and killed the men but claimed he was innocent because the cartel made him do it. A jury found him guilty on all 18 charges in October.

The judge said she took Gudino's "advanced age" into account when she handed down the lightest sentence allowed. 

Gudino does plan to file an appeal.

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