Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera and a leader within the Sinaloa Cartel, has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in Chicago. The plea follows a joint prosecution with San Diego authorities.
Attorney General Pamela 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.”
DEA Administrator Terrance Cole commented on the significance of the case: “Under the Chapitos’ leadership, the Sinaloa Cartel has fueled the deadliest drug crisis in our nation’s history, manufacturing poison and profiting from the destruction of American lives. DEA stands committed to dismantle Sinaloa Cartel’s command and control, expose their criminal networks, and deliver justice for the hundreds of thousands of lives lost to their greed. Joaquin Guzmán Lopez’s guilty plea marks another blow to the cartel’s ruthless operations. We will not stop until these narco-terrorists are held accountable and the American people are protected.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti noted, “After the United States successfully prosecuted El Chapo, his son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, took up his father’s mantle and jointly led the ‘Los Chapitos’ faction of the Sinaloa Cartel — one of the world’s most notorious drug trafficking organizations — in its efforts to flood the United States with deadly fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Under the leadership of Guzman Lopez and his associates, the Sinaloa Cartel spread violence and bribed public officials to protect its illicit business. The Criminal Division and our partners will not rest until we have fully dismantled the criminal cartels whose ruthless violence and lethal narcotics distribution threaten the safety and health of the American people.”
U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for Northern District of Illinois said that prosecuting top leaders like Guzman Lopez continues longstanding efforts against international cartels: “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 latest step in our efforts to bring to justice drug lords and other dangerous criminals who poison…the American public with illegal…drugs.”
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for Southern District of California added: “Two down, two to go.”
FBI Acting Assistant Director Gregory Heeb highlighted ongoing priorities: “The Guzmans have made a family business out of trafficking fentanyl and other dangerous drugs…Protecting Americans from…criminal cartels terrorizing…our communities is one of FBI’s highest priorities…”
Ray Rede from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Arizona said HSI remains focused on holding cartel members accountable: “Yesterday’s guilty plea by Joaquin Guzman Lopez is another example of how HSI is taking on cartels…Dismantling…Sinaloa cartel one arrest at time has taken countless hours but together HSI and our federal partners…relentlessly focused efforts…”
Guzman Lopez admitted guilt for conspiracy related to drugs as well as operating a continuing criminal enterprise. These convictions carry mandatory minimum sentences starting at 10 years up to life imprisonment; sentencing has yet to be scheduled.
He was arrested in July 2024 and remains detained in U.S custody.
After his father’s conviction in New York in 2016, Joaquin Guzman Lopez joined his three brothers—known collectively as “the Chapitos”—in leading cartel operations that moved large quantities of drugs including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine into Mexico then across various smuggling routes into United States territory using vehicles or tunnels among other methods.
Proceeds from these activities were laundered back into Mexico or elsewhere through associates under his direction; bribes were paid out while violence was used both against law enforcement officers as well as rivals within organized crime.
Guzman Lopez also admitted involvement in an international kidnapping offense but will not receive cooperation credit for it according to terms outlined by prosecutors.
As part of his plea agreement he agreed on an $80 million personal money judgment representing traceable proceeds from these offenses; quantities acknowledged include over 36 kilograms fentanyl plus significant amounts heroin (90 kg), cocaine (450 kg), methamphetamine (45 kg), marijuana (90 metric tons).
His brothers Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar & Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar remain fugitives wanted on similar charges while Ovidio Guzman Lopez pleaded guilty earlier this year awaiting sentencing; rewards up $10 million have been posted by State Department for information leading arrests or convictions regarding fugitives.
Trial attorneys from Justice Department along with Assistant U.S Attorneys representing both Northern District Illinois & Southern District California are handling prosecution while HSI & FBI conducted investigations.
This announcement falls under Operation Take Back America—a DOJ initiative coordinating resources across agencies toward eliminating transnational criminal organizations like Sinaloa Cartel through streamlined law enforcement action utilizing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces.
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