Ovidio Guzman Lopez, a son of infamous Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, pleaded guilty Friday on federal drug trafficking prices associated to his management function within the Sinaloa Cartel that his father cofounded a long time in the past.
A sentencing date has not been set, however Guzman Lopez faces as much as life in jail and should should forfeit $80 million.
The Associated Press reported that as a part of a plea settlement, Guzman Lopez admitted to his function within the drug operation, however particular phrases of the deal, together with sentencing suggestions or cooperation agreements, weren’t disclosed. Most of the most up-to-date filings in Guzman Lopez’s case are marked sealed within the federal court filing system.
Authorities alleged that Guzman Lopez, also called “El Raton” and “Raton Nuevo,” conspired to distribute medication from Mexico and different nations into the U.S. from 2008 to 2021. Guzman Lopez and his three brothers, identified collectively as “Los Chapitos,” assumed management of the lethal Sinaloa drug enterprise after their father’s arrest in 2016, in line with federal prosecutors.
Guzman Lopez, 35, was arrested in Mexico in 2023 and extradited to the U.S. to face conspiracy prices within the alleged drug trafficking scheme. He pleaded responsible in Chicago.
Based on Guzman Lopez’s indictment, he and his brothers conspired to amass “larger management over the Sinaloa Cartel by threatening to trigger violence, and inflicting violence” towards associates. Guzman Lopez allegedly acted as a “logistical coordinator” in aiding the transportation of “multi-kilogram portions of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana” from Mexico to the U.S. border then all through the U.S. for distribution. Moreover, he was accused of serving to launder cash from the medication offered.