WESLACO – An American woman is facing federal charges in a smuggling attempt that turned into a kidnapping.

A 19-year-old immigrant woman was smuggled into the U.S. two years ago.

Smugglers took her to a gas station and ordered her to board the top of a tractor trailer.

When the woman refused, she was taken and held in a McAllen hotel against her will.

Court documents state the smugglers used guns to hold her there until her family paid a ransom of $4,400.

The immigrant woman was released.

Charges were filed against a 21-year-old U.S born woman last week.

For more information watch the video above.