Sheepdogs Defense AI CEO, Shawn Ames, Requests National Security Related Public Statement from fellow University of Toledo Graduate and Fraternity President on Harrowing San Diego Night and Tijuana, MX Attempted Cartel Kidnapping Ordeal and Potential Homicide

NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Shawn Ames, CEO of Sheepdogs Defense AI, is calling on a close friend Seth Richards, to issue a public statement affirming the events of a terrifying night that nearly turned deadly during a trip to Tijuana in 2007. Ames and Richards, both University of Toledo graduates, narrowly escaped what Ames described an attempted Cartel kidnapping and possible homicide during a visit to San Diego and a subsequent ill-fated excursion across the U.S.-Mexico border.

The evening began innocently enough with dinner at a San Diego restaurant, where Ames and Richards shared laughs and a chance encounter with a celebrity. “It started out as a beautiful and calm night in one of America’s most gorgeous cities,” Ames recalls. “I’d invited Seth to reconnect and enjoy the house and yacht I was staying in, along with a mutual friend who was an executive in the franchise industry, we actually saw Playboy Magazine CEO Hugh Hefners girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson, so it was turning into a really amazing evening.”

As the night progressed, bars in San Diego closed early, prompting the two friends to venture into Tijuana despite the backdrop of the 2007 Mexican Drug War. “We were young and naive,” says Ames. “In hindsight, it was a reckless decision.”

The drive to the San Ysidro border crossing took a grim turn when they encountered a tragic motorcycle accident on a dark desert road. “A man flagged us down to report a dead motorcyclist lying face down. It was haunting and left us both in shock,” Ames recounts.

Upon arriving at the border, they were warned by U.S. Border Patrol agents about the escalating dangers in Tijuana. Despite their reservations, the pair were persuaded by two strangers to cross the border and take a cab, a decision Ames describes as “the beginning of a nightmare.”

During the cab ride, Ames realized their companions were armed and likely orchestrating a kidnapping. “It became clear that we were in serious danger. I had to act quickly, and a heated argument with the cab driver ensued as I tried to prevent us from being taken to a secondary location,” Ames explains. His persistence eventually convinced the driver to drop them off on Tijuana’s notorious Revolution Boulevard.

However, they found themselves in the midst of a cartel hit scene, surrounded by heavily armed Federales and chaos in the streets. Ames recalls a tense moment when the armed men attempted to lead Richards into a dark alley. “I physically intervened and led Seth to the safety of the Federales’ trucks. It’s clear to me now that they intended to harm us,” Ames states.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Ames says, “I’m grateful Seth now has a beautiful wife, family, and baby, and that we both survived. That night is a stark reminder of the dangers Americans faced during the Mexican Drug War.”

Ames hopes Richards will step forward to confirm the details of this harrowing experience, shedding light on the perils that many Americans encountered during that volatile time.

Mr. Ames plans to request, due to unforeseen National Security related events, and noting that he never wanted this public, nor any credit for this act, the Secretary of Defense Medal for Valor. The Office of the Secretary of the Defense Medal for Valor is the highest civilian award for valor presented by the United States Department of Defense. This would be in addition to the FBI Commendation for Valor Request recently made for Mr. Ames work in countering another kidnapping domestically.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Shawn Ames, please contact: shawn@sheepdogs.ai

About Sheepdogs Defense AI

Sheepdogs Defense AI is a cutting-edge technology company focused on leveraging artificial intelligence for defense and security. Led by CEO Shawn Ames, the organization is committed to innovation and safeguarding communities through advanced AI solutions.

Media Contact

Shawn Ames, Sheepdogs Defense Artificial Intelligence, 1 347-375-6591, shawn@sheepdogs.ai, www.sheepdogs.ai

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SOURCE Sheepdogs Defense Artificial Intelligence