Son of ‘El Chapo’ to plead guilty in US drug trafficking case
Share and Follow


CHICAGO (AP) — 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Lake Michigan search for missing teen near Illinois Beach State Park recovery effort after boy knocked into water: witness

Search and Recovery Underway for Teen Swept Into Lake Michigan Near Illinois Beach State Park, According to Witness

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. (WLS) — There is a recovery effort ongoing in…
Tesla charging unit sparks massive inferno in Texas garage, severely damaging home, officials say

Tesla charging unit sparks massive inferno in Texas garage, severely damaging home, officials say

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The city of Lewisville,…
Roy Black, famed defense attorney for Rush Limbaugh and Jeffrey Epstein, dies after illustrious career

Roy Black, famed defense attorney for Rush Limbaugh and Jeffrey Epstein, dies after illustrious career

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Roy Black, a prominent…
Which Mets might be next to see their number retired at Citi Field?

Which Mets players are the top contenders for having their jersey numbers retired at Citi Field?

The Citi Field ceremony to retire David Wright’s No. 5 removed the…
Yellowstone aspen recovering thanks to 1990s reintroduction of wolves: Study

Study: Yellowstone Aspen Thriving Following 1990s Wolf Reintroduction

The restoration of gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park has helped revive…
ICE arrests illegal immigrant accused of decapitating Illinois woman after judge set him free

Illinois coroner releases new details about woman found dead on illegal immigrant’s property

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! An Illinois coroner has…
All-new 'The Magic of Disney Animation' experience coming in 2026 to Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World

Exciting ‘Disney Animation Magic’ Attraction Debuting in 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Ever wondered what it’d be like to…
McDonald's trash duty dispute escalates to manager allegedly shooting teen employee's mom in restaurant

McDonald’s trash duty dispute escalates to manager allegedly shooting teen employee’s mom in restaurant

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A Belleville, Illinois, McDonald’s…