Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera and a leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Chicago to federal drug charges. The 39-year-old admitted guilt on one count of drug conspiracy and one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. These convictions carry a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in federal prison and could result in a life sentence. U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman has not yet set a sentencing date. Guzman Lopez has been held in U.S. custody since his arrest in July 2024.
The plea resulted from cooperation among federal prosecutors from the Northern District of Illinois, the Justice Department’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, the Southern District of California, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Additional assistance came from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico and IRS Criminal Investigation.
Announcing the plea were Pamela Bondi, United States Attorney General; Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Matthew R. Galeotti, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Adam Gordon, United States Attorney for the Southern District of California; Ray Rede, Acting Special Agent in Charge for HSI Arizona; Gregory Heeb, Acting Assistant Director for FBI Criminal Investigative Division; and Terrance Cole, DEA Administrator.
Guzman Lopez’s guilty plea is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated law enforcement efforts under its Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces.
Attorney General Bondi stated: “The Sinaloa Cartel is a terrorist organization that has spent decades destroying American families through brutal violence and deadly drug trafficking. Yesterday’s guilty plea from El Chapo’s son is a major victory against the Sinaloa Cartel and underscores the Trump Administration’s historic, aggressive campaign to dismantle terrorist organizations that target the American people.”
U.S. Attorney Boutros said: “For decades, the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office has been at the forefront of the U.S. government’s relentless pursuit of drug cartels, such as the Sinaloa Cartel, as well as their top leaders… Joaquin Guzman Lopez’s guilty plea is the latest step in our efforts to bring to justice drug lords and other dangerous criminals who poison the American public with illegal and harmful drugs and who otherwise engage in violence and corruption to carry out their… wide-reaching criminal activities.”
According to his plea agreement, after El Chapo was arrested in 2016 and convicted in New York’s Eastern District court system, Guzman Lopez joined his three brothers—known collectively as “the Chapitos”—in leading cartel operations. He admitted coordinating transportation logistics for large shipments of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, precursor chemicals from Mexico into various parts of the United States using couriers via vehicles, rail cars, tunnels, aircrafts or submersible vessels.
The plea also states that after distributing drugs throughout America using these networks, proceeds were laundered back to Mexico. Violence was used against law enforcement officials as well as rival traffickers or even members within their own organization.
Guzman Lopez further stipulated to an international kidnapping offense within his agreement.
He agreed to pay an $80 million personal money judgment representing proceeds traceable to these crimes.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Galeotti commented: “After… El Chapo… [was] prosecuted…, his son… took up his father’s mantle… Under [their] leadership…, [they] spread violence and bribed public officials…. The Criminal Division and our partners will not rest until we have fully dismantled …cartels whose ruthless violence …threaten[s]… Americans.”
U.S. Attorney Gordon remarked: “Two down, two to go.”
Ray Rede with HSI said: “The guilty plea by Joaquin Guzman Lopez is another example of how HSI is taking on cartels…. Dismantling …one arrest at a time has taken countless hours,… Today’s announcement exemplifies a whole-of-government approach….”
Gregory Heeb with FBI added: “The Guzmans have made a family business out of trafficking fentanyl…. Protecting Americans from …cartels terrorizing …communities is one… priority….”
DEA Administrator Cole stated: “Under [the Chapitos’] leadership…, [they have] fueled …the deadliest drug crisis …manufacturing poison …. DEA stands committed to dismantle Sinaloa Cartel’s command…, expose their criminal networks,… deliver justice…. We will not stop until these narco-terrorists are held accountable….”
Guzman Lopez’s three brothers—Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, Ovidio Guzman Lopez—were also charged with drug trafficking by U.S authorities. Rewards up to $10 million are offered for information leading to Ivan Archivaldo or Jesus Alfredo’s arrests or convictions. Details on wanted individuals can be found here. Ovidio pleaded guilty earlier this year before awaiting sentencing; Ivan Archivaldo and Jesus Alfredo remain fugitives with outstanding warrants.
Authorities remind that charges against Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar are allegations only; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
