Background on Ovidio Guzmán
Ovidio Guzmán, one of the sons of Joaquín “Chapo” Guzmán, co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, is set to have his in-person hearing in a Chicago court on Friday, July 11th at 11:00 AM local time. Originally scheduled for Wednesday, the hearing was postponed according to court documents.
Guzmán’s Plea Agreement
During the hearing, Guzmán is expected to formally accept his guilty plea for drug trafficking, which he signed on June 30th. This decision will spare him a trial in exchange for providing valuable information to the prosecution, potentially leading to a sentence lower than the life imprisonment his father currently serves in the United States following a high-profile 2018 trial.
Charges Against Guzmán
- Continuing criminal enterprise
- Importation and distribution of fentanyl
- Money laundering
- Use of firearms
The Role of Los Chapitos and Sinaloa Cartel
According to U.S. authorities, Ovidio Guzmán, along with his brothers Joaquín Guzmán López (also detained in Chicago), and half-brothers Archivaldo Iván and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar, lead Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. The current Trump administration has designated this organization as a global “terrorist” entity.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Ovidio Guzmán? Ovidio Guzmán is one of the sons of Joaquín “Chapo” Guzmán, a prominent figure in the Sinaloa Cartel.
- What is the significance of his hearing? The in-person hearing will formally accept Guzmán’s guilty plea for drug trafficking, potentially leading to a reduced sentence by providing valuable information to the prosecution.
- What are the charges against him? Guzmán faces charges of continuing criminal enterprise, importation and distribution of fentanyl, money laundering, and use of firearms.
- Who are Los Chapitos? Los Chapitos is a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel led by Ovidio Guzmán, his brothers, and half-brothers. The group has been designated as a global “terrorist” entity by the Trump administration.
