U.S. Jury Convicts El Chapo on All Counts for Leading the Sinaloa Organized Crime Cartel

IMPORTANT: The full content of this page is available to premium users only.

Friday, February 15, 2019
Author: 
Bruce Zagaris
Volume: 
35
Issue: 
2
Abstract: 

On February 12, 2019, a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York convicted Joaquin Achivaldo Guzman Loera, known as “El Chapo,” of leading a continuing criminal enterprise – the Mexican organized crime syndicate - commonly known as the Sinaloa Cartel.  In particular, he was convicted of 26 drug-related violations and one murder conspiracy.  He was convicted of all 10 counts of a superseding indictment,[1] including narcotics trafficking, using a firearm in furtherance of his enterprise, and participating in a money laundering conspiracy.  As the U.S. Justice Department press release discusses, the verdict came after a 12-week trial before U.S. District Judge Brian M. Cogan.[2]  El Chapo faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment at his sentencing schedule on June 25.