Judge denies bond to ‘Mexican Muslim’ teacher accused of kidnapping, drugging woman

A federal judge denied bond to a woman accused of kidnapping and drugging a Muslim woman.

During a bond hearing Wednesday at the El Paso Federal Courthouse, Judge Miguel Torres said Norma Juarez Taha might be a danger to the community and to herself.

Defense Attorney Reggie Trejo told ABC-7, “All I can say right now is that we are looking forward to defending the case, defending Ms. Taha.” Trejo added, “We believe she is innocent.”

Taha, who described herself as a Mexican Muslim, allegedly kidnapped a Muslim El Paso woman because the victim “brought shame to the Muslim community and should return to Libya,” court documents obtained by ABC-7 state.

Taha is charged with kidnapping. She was identified as a teacher at an El Paso Muslim community center.

In statement, the Islamic Center of El Paso said it adamantly condemns charges against Taha, adding that they do not represent the Islamic Center of El Paso nor are they reflective of the religion of Islam.

“Ms. Taha has represented herself in a very positive and upstanding manner in the past within our community,” the Islamic Center’s statements reads, “Therefore, we are shocked and surprised at the news of this event. Despite being a member of our community, the charges she is accused of are her individual actions and are not endorsed nor condoned by the Islamic Center of El Paso.”

Public Defender Reggie Trejo testified Wednesday that the victim’s parents asked Taha to speak to their daughter because they were concerned about her behavior. Trejo said victim’s parents feared they would be deported under President Donald Trump’s executive orders, the agent testified.

Taha allegedly kidnapped the victim from her bedroom about 3 a.m. Feb. 13. Court documents state the victim woke up to find Taha restraining her in bed and trying to cover up her mouth with tape. The victim screamed, but no one inside the home came to her rescue.

Taha was a friend of the family whom the victim knew as “Sister Norma,” court documents state. Taha allegedly told the victim she and her family were in danger, and told the victim to follow her to safety, where the victim would be reunited with her family.

Court documents also state Taha told the victim her family faced deportation and the victim’s younger brother would not be able to get access to the medical assistance he required.

The victim was instructed to get into the rear cargo area of Taha’s Toyota van and was driven to East El Paso along Montana Avenue.

The pair eventually drove through a rocky road to a residence that appeared to be a mobile home. The victim, although blindfolded, was able to notice Taha had a pistol positioned on her lower back. The victim feared for her life, documents state.

As they walked to the mobile home, Taha told the victim the pistol was for protection. While at the mobile home, the victim observed Taha speaking with an Hispanic female. Taha told the victim the woman was an FBI agent who wanted to help the victim’s family.

The women allegedly escorted the victim to a pickup. At this point, Taha allegedly used a syringe to inject a substance into the victim’s leg. The victim said she felt sleepy, nauseated, and later vomited inside the pickup.

The Hispanic woman was allegedly driving the pickup while Taha followed in the van. The women allegedly took the girl into Juarez, where she was dropped off at a home with people who knew Taha and the Hispanic woman.

The victim was often left alone inside the residence, but was unable to escape because she felt weak as a result of the substance injected into her leg.

She eventually befriended several people at the residence and they let her use the telephone. The victim tried to contact her boyfriend, but was unable to reach him.

Two days later, two individuals at the residence took the victim to the Stanton Street port of Entry, where the victim met with U.S. Customs officers.

The victim received medical treatment and the FBI began its investigation.

FBI agents eventually arrested Taha, who allegedly said she was doing the victim a favor by taking her to Mexico. Taha later admitted she had gone to the victim’s residence and fabricated a story about the victim’s family being in danger in order to trick the victim into leaving with her.

Taha allegedly admitted to injecting the victim with a mixture of muscle-relaxing pills and water. She allegedly did this to keep the victim calm.

Later during the interview, Taha told agents the victim’s lifestyle “brought embarrassment to her family and should be taken to Mexico or Libya.”

Court documents do not identify the Hispanic woman who allegedly helped Taha take the victim to Juarez.