Son of ‘El Chapo’ to Plead Guilty in U.S. Drug Trafficking Case

Introduction to the Case

The son of notorious Mexican drug kingpin “El Chapo” intends to plead guilty to drug trafficking charges in the U.S., according to court documents filed Tuesday.

Prosecutors allege Ovidio Guzman Lopez, along with his brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, ran a faction of the cartel known as the “Chapitos,” or little Chapos, that exported fentanyl to the United States.

Background on the Family

Ovidio Guzman Lopez’s father is Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the former leader of the Sinaloa cartel who smuggled mountains of cocaine and other drugs into the United States over 25 years.

Arrest and Charges

Ovidio Guzman Lopez was arrested in Mexico in 2023 and extradited to the United States. He was charged in federal court in Chicago with money laundering, drug and firearm offenses.
He previously pleaded not guilty, but online court records indicate he is scheduled to appear in court on July 9 to change his plea as part of a deal with prosecutors. Court documents filed Tuesday indicate he intends to plead guilty after word of a possible deal was disclosed during an October hearing.

Implications of the Plea

Ovidio Guzman Lopez would be the first of the brothers to enter a plea deal.
Joaquin Guzman Lopez is also in U.S. custody. He and another longtime Sinaloa leader, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, were arrested in July in Texas after they landed in the U.S. on a private plane. Joaquin Guzman Lopez has pleaded not guilty to charges including money laundering, drug dealing and conspiracy to distribute drugs. Zambada also pleaded not guilty.

Aftermath of the Arrest

The men’s dramatic capture prompted a surge in violence in Mexico’s northern state of Sinaloa as two factions of the Sinaloa cartel clashed.

Response from Parties Involved

Federal prosecutors and Ovidio Guzman Lopez’s attorney, listed in online court records as Jeffrey Lichtman, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Conclusion

The decision by Ovidio Guzman Lopez to plead guilty marks a significant development in the case against the sons of "El Chapo" and highlights the ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to combat drug trafficking. The plea deal may have implications for the broader struggle against the Sinaloa cartel and its remnants.

FAQs

• Q: Who is Ovidio Guzman Lopez?
  A: Ovidio Guzman Lopez is the son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the former leader of the Sinaloa cartel.
• Q: What charges does Ovidio Guzman Lopez face?
  A: Ovidio Guzman Lopez faces charges including money laundering, drug and firearm offenses.
• Q: What is the significance of Ovidio Guzman Lopez’s plea deal?
  A: The plea deal marks the first time one of the Guzman brothers has agreed to plead guilty in a U.S. court, potentially setting a precedent for other cases involving the Sinaloa cartel.
• Q: How does this case affect the Sinaloa cartel?
  A: The capture and prosecution of key figures like Ovidio Guzman Lopez and his brother Joaquin Guzman Lopez contribute to the disruption of the Sinaloa cartel’s operations, potentially weakening its influence in the drug trafficking world.