How Serafin Zambada's sentence was lowered from 210 to 66 months...According to the court

Chivis Martinez for Borderland Beat

“I apologize … to the society and to my family for what I have done. I am very sorry. I want to move forward so I can be there with my children and raise them in the best manner possible…Serafin Zambada Ortiz to the court;

The court: thank you. I appreciate your comments.

Borderland Beat followers are incredulous at the short sentence imposed in this case.  I promised to check government documents to glean any information with respect to sentencing.

I found that the three documents filed in March of this year and pertaining to sentencing…have been sealed.  One can draw their own conclusions.

As for how sentencing is determined; A “point system” is used as a guideline

It begins with the sentence that is mandated for the crime, less those charges dismissed.  That equals a number of points.  Let’s say 100.  Applicable point "credits" are deducted for various reasons in the defendants favor.  For example, cooperation, pleading guilty [accepting responsibility], first time felony.  etc etc.  If there are negatives, repeat offender, leader of gang or cartel etc those points are added.  The balance of points will determine what the BOP recommends for that number of points. [base offence level]

In reviewing the documents,  these sentencing documents are found all dated the same as hearing date.

Docket Text Sentencing Memorandum

Docket Text Sentencing Summary Chart

Docket Text Sentence With PSR 

ALL three are sealed.

However, the transcript of the sentencing hearing is public and I have accessed that document, from the March 21, 2018 hearing, held in San Diego, California.  I have posted that transcript in this post.

Personally, I think Zambada played the system very well, and the government is making a grave error handing out these nonsensical deals.  This is a relatively low level player.  

“The guideline range, with a criminal history category I, score zero, would be 168 to 210 months…

The adjusted offense level becomes 35.” …Judge Sabraw

The value of the information provided by him is not worth the exchange of a walk away sentence.  Light years away from let’s say information provided by the Flores Twins.  [my two cents]  I know, by speaking to agents, this is frustrating.  After working diligently on drug trafficking cases, only to see a slap on the wrist that allows perps back on the street, is disheartening at best.

Now Serafin will return to his lux life in Sinaloa, with his women, exotic animals and cars, vachts, ranches and mansions, learning and teaching nothing.

 “You had a world of luxury and all kinds of things provided to you, but no real ability to enjoy those or to enjoy life because you were immersed in this world of drug trafficking. your childhood is remarkable in the sense that you were moved frequently. the record reveals you were in culiacan until age 12, then off to Arizona for two years.

Then back to Culiacan for a year, then back to arizona for a couple years, then back to culiacan. and then off to Canada for a period of time, and then a return to Culiacan when you were 19 or 20 years of age"….. Judge sabraw to Zambada

Read judgement in a criminal case and  entire transcript below:

   Serafin Zambada Setencing Hearing Transcript 4.16.18 by Chivis Martinez on Scribd

Serafin Zambada judgement i... by on Scribd