Carlos (surname unknown) is a volunteering associate and accomplice of kidnapper and murder facilitator Ronny Aldridge.
History[]
Carlos was one of the troubled youths under Aldridge's program, Fresh Horizons, known for their distinctive orange parkas. Carlos held Blair Carlson, the mistress of investment banker Peter Gardner, hostage for ransom so Aldridge could get 200 grand for his purchase of an abandoned farm he was never going to renovate. Gardner agreed to the ransom within a day, but Blair escaped by breaking a window in the locked room she was in. Carlos tried to pull her back, but she ran out onto the road and was killed by a truck driven by Silvio Mangiafico.
Carlos appeared as a witness playing dumb, even when he was repeatedly brought in for questioning. But when his connection to Gardner, and then to Aldridge was found out, so was Aldridge's motive and evidence from the both of them and Blair, from prints to hair, in the locked room and in the van she was kidnapped in. The kids tried to rally around Aldridge, until they saw they'd be living in the unrenovated farm, from which they turned their backs on Aldridge.
Carlos was released with dropped charges in exchange for his testimony, and he admitted to loading food and water into the van. But when asked about Aldridge's character, Carlos verbalized a glowing image of him. Ths was favorable to the jury, which led to an acquittal. Although the kids rejoiced, Carlos just silently shook Aldridge's hand, then left the ourtroom first and alone out of remorse. (L&O: "Bailout")