Sons of El Chapo Ovidio and Joaquin unsealed indictment for arrest and extradition preparation

Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat 

Ovidio is the son of El Chapo and Griselda.  Joaquin has the same surname
but has never been listed as one of Griselda’s offspring, Some in the Mexican press say they are brothers

On Valentines Day, the indictment and arrest warrants against the sons of El Chapo, OVIDIO GUZMAN LOPEZ, 28, and JOAQUIN GUZMAN LOPEZ, 34,  have been partially unsealed, along with the arrest warrant in the case.  They have been unsealed for the purposes of requirement in the extradition application process, so details are omitted.

From request to seal the documents on 4.2.18 [motion to seal]

This case involves two cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana traffickers who are responsible for conspiring to distribute large quantities of narcotics. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to distribute five kilograms of cocaine, five hundred grams or more of methamphetamine, and one thousand kilograms of marijuana for importation into the United States. The defendants are citizens of Mexico. While it will be necessary for law enforcement officials to disclose the existence of the Indictment and arrest warrant to foreign and domestic law enforcement officials as part of the extradition and investigative processes, public disclosure of such information could jeopardize the investigation and put law enforcement officials, their sources of information and their families at risk.

 The United States moves to seal the Indictment and related documents in the above captioned case for several reasons. The United States needs an opportunity to assure the safety of its [cooperative] witnesses. The United States also needs to provide law enforcement with an opportunity to extradite or request the expulsion of the defendant from foreign countries before he can become aware of the charges filed against him in the United States.

From the Department of Justice Press Statement:

Sons of Joaquin Guzman Loera Aka “El Chapo” Charged with Drug Trafficking

An indictment against Joaquin Guzman Lopez and Ovidio Guzman Lopez, charging them with a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana for importation into the United States was unsealed last week. The Guzman Lopez brothers, believed to currently reside in Mexico, are the sons of Joaquin Guzman Loera, aka “El Chapo,” who was convicted by a jury in the Eastern District of New York for his role as the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Arizona Field Office made the announcement.

Joaquin Guzman Lopez, 34, and Ovidio Guzman Lopez, 28, are charged in a one-count indictment alleging that from in or around April 2008, through April 2018, they conspired to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana from Mexico and elsewhere for importation into the United States.  This case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras.

The case was investigated by HSI.  This case is also the result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state, and local enforcement agencies.  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Trial Attorneys Anthony Aminoff and Anthony Nardozzi of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS) are prosecuting the case.

Motion to seal from April 2018:

Clickj on image to enlarge

Indictment

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