Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the 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. Guzman Lopez, 39, admitted to one count of drug conspiracy and one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. These charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. A sentencing date has not been set by U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman. Guzman Lopez has been held in U.S. custody since his arrest in July 2024.
The plea is the result of cooperation between prosecutors from the Northern District of Illinois, Justice Department’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, Southern District of California, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The investigation also received assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico and IRS Criminal Investigation.
The announcement was made by 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 plea agreement states that after his father’s arrest and conviction in 2016, he and his three brothers—known as “the Chapitos”—took over leadership roles within the cartel. He admitted to organizing shipments involving cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and other drugs from Mexico to the United States using various methods such as vehicles, rail cars, tunnels, aircrafts, submersible vessels among others.
After distribution within the United States, proceeds were laundered back to Mexico or elsewhere by individuals working with Guzman Lopez and others involved with the cartel. The plea agreement also includes an admission that violence was used against law enforcement officials as well as rivals or members within their own organization to protect operations.
Guzman Lopez further stipulated to committing an international kidnapping offense as part of his plea agreement. He agreed to a personal money judgment amounting to $80 million representing proceeds traceable to these offenses.
“The Sinaloa Cartel is a terrorist organization that has spent decades destroying American families through brutal violence and deadly drug trafficking,” said Attorney General Bondi. “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.”
“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 Sinaloa Cartel,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “Today...the U.S State Department has designated many...as foreign terrorist organizations—a fact that has only further stiffened our resolve...Joaquin Guzman Lopez’s guilty plea is...our efforts to bring justice [to] drug lords...who poison...the American public with illegal...drugs.”
“After the United States successfully prosecuted El Chapo,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Galeotti,“his son Joaquin Guzman Lopez took up his father’s mantle...in its efforts to flood [the] United States with deadly fentanyl...[and] cocaine.” Galeotti added: “Under [their] leadership...[they] spread violence...[and bribed] public officials...” The Criminal Division will continue its work until criminal cartels are dismantled.
U.S. Attorney Gordon commented briefly: “Two down two to go.”
Acting Special Agent Rede stated: “The guilty plea by Joaquin Guzman Lopez is another example [of how HSI takes on cartels] ...sending a clear message that we are going hold them accountable....Today’s announcement exemplifies a whole-of-government approach.”
“The Guzmans have made a family business out trafficking fentanyl,” said Acting Assistant Director Heeb.“Protecting Americans from [these] criminal cartels terrorizing…communities is one FBI's highest priorities…”
DEA Administrator Cole noted: “Under Chapitos’ leadership…the Sinaloa Cartel has fueled…the deadliest drug crisis…manufacturing poison…and profiting from destruction…” Cole emphasized commitment toward dismantling command structures within these organizations.
Three brothers—Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar,JESUS ALFREDO GUZMAN SALAZAR,and Ovidio Guzman Lopez—were also charged with drug trafficking under separate indictments.Ovidio pleaded guilty on July 11 2025 in Chicago,and awaits sentencing.Ivan Archivaldo and Jesus Alfredo remain at large with warrants issued.The U.S.State Department offers rewards up $10 million each for information leading their arrests or convictions.More reward information can be found online.
The public is reminded charges against Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar are allegations.All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
