PHOENIX - A Mexican national has pleaded guilty to carrying a gun while he and six others held 30 people hostage inside an El Mirage home last January.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said 37-year-old Jaime Zamora-Martinez admitted to authorities that he helped detain the illegal immigrants at gunpoint, that he threatened to kill them and forced them to provide phone numbers to arrange payments.

Federal prosecutors said the hostages were told they would not be released until their family members sent payments through Western Union.

El Mirage police came upon the home on Jan. 31 after a 911 operator heard a man whispering that he needed help.

Zamora-Martinez pleaded guilty Wednesday as part of a plea agreement and his sentencing is set for Sept. 14.