Prairie State Wire

Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera and a leader within the Sinaloa Cartel, has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in Chicago. At 35, Guzman Lopez admitted guilt to two counts of drug conspiracy and two counts of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. The plea was part of an agreement that addressed charges from grand juries in both the Northern District of Illinois and the Southern District of New York.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman did not schedule a sentencing date. Guzman Lopez has been held without bond since his extradition from Mexico to the U.S. in 2023.

This plea is the outcome of collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Justice Department's Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, prosecutors from several districts, and partners such as the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the DEA.

The announcement was made by various officials including Andrew S. Boutros, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Adam Gordon, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California; Jose A. Perez from FBI Criminal Investigative Division; Steven Jensen from FBI’s Washington Field Office; Ray Rede from Homeland Security Investigations in Arizona; and Robert Murphy from DEA.

Significant assistance came from IRS Criminal Investigation and other departments within the Justice Department.

Guzman Lopez's plea aligns with Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations.

“Today’s historic guilty plea sends yet another crystal-clear message that this Administration is going to shut down and hold accountable transnational criminal organizations," said U.S. Attorney Boutros.

Guzman Lopez admitted that he took on leadership roles alongside his brothers after their father's arrest in 2016. He acknowledged coordinating large-scale drug transportation operations into the United States using various methods and laundering proceeds through different financial means.

As part of his agreement, Guzman Lopez agreed to an $80 million forfeiture money judgment.

“Today’s guilty plea is another major step toward holding the Sinaloa Cartel accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Clayton.

“With each passing day, you are seeing the sunset of the Sinaloa cartel,” remarked U.S. Attorney Gordon.

“The guilty plea by Ovidio Guzman Lopez is a real victory for both countries but also a clear win for rule of law,” stated HSI Acting SAC Rede.

Guzman Lopez's three brothers face similar charges with ongoing legal proceedings or outstanding warrants against them. The public is reminded that these charges remain allegations until proven otherwise in court.