Extradited to the U.S.: CJNG Background and indictment of El Menchito, the son of El Mencho leader of CJNG

Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat
First Court hearing held on Friday

Mexican agents hand over Menchito to U.S. agents

Menchito's first court appearance was held today; he entered a “Not Guilty” plea on all counts, and requested a court appointed attorney, additional hearing and scheduling information below.

According to federal authorities, Menchito, Ruben Oseguera Gonzales, a U.S. citizen, the son of El Mencho, was released from the Federal Criminal Court of Hermosillo, Sonora, and was transported by air to the U.S. 

Early  September, the Second Collegiate Court in Criminal and Labor Matters of Oaxaca denied the amparo protection which Oseguera González intended to prevent his transfer to the United States. 

Below is the background and indictment of El Menchito. more than five years, Menchito was imprisoned in the Federal Penalties of the Altiplano, Oaxaca and Hermosillo. 

The government of Mexico has not issued a violence alert for any outbreak that may occur in “protest” of the extradition.

Leaving Hermosillo with U.S. Agents

Enters “Not Guilty” Plea today,  in first court proceedings:

Proceedings held before Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey: Initial Appearance on Arrest Warrant/Arraignment as to RUBEN OSEGUERA-GONZALEZ (1) Count 1,1s,2,2s held on 2/21/2020.
Not Guilty Plea entered by RUBEN OSEGUERA-GONZALEZ (1) as to all counts. 

Oral Motion to Appoint Counsel held today. For  RUBEN OSEGUERA-GONZALEZ  Heard and Granted.

Oral Motion by the Government for Temporary Detention (3 Day Hold) Heard and Granted.

Detention Hearing set for 2/26/2020 at 01:45 PM in Courtroom 6 

Status Hearing set for 2/28/2020 at 09:30 AM in Courtroom 22A before Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell.

Bond Status of Defendant: Defendant Held without Bond.

Click on image to enlarge

The following press release from the department of justice in October 2018:

Justice, Treasury, and State Departments Announce Coordinated Enforcement Efforts Against Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion

The United States of America, through its Departments of Justice, Treasury, and State  announced today a series of measures to target and dismantle the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) – one of the largest, most dangerous drug cartels currently operating in Mexico. These measures include the unsealing of 15 indictments, the State Department’s approval of large rewards, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designations, and the establishment of a citizen tip-line.  

CJNG is one of the most powerful cartels in Mexico and the Department of Justice considers it to be one of the five most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in the world, responsible for trafficking many tons of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl-laced heroin into the United States, as well as for violence and significant loss of life in Mexico.

Background

Founded in 2011, CJNG has grown in size and strength rapidly since its inception.  Today, the DEA estimates the CJNG exerts influence in 23 of 31 (75 percent) of Mexican states, including  key drug production and transportation corridors.  CJNG is a powerful drug cartel in Mexico as a result of the organization’s disciplined command and control, sophisticated money laundering techniques, efficient drug transportation routes, and extreme violence.  The cartel has also expanded globally, with significant presence and illicit business not only throughout the United States and Mexico, but also Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Previous transfer

“We will continue to hammer transnational criminal organizations like the Cartel de San Jalisco Nueva Generacion, or CJNG,” said Attorney General Sessions.  “The DEA has said for three years in a row that Mexican drug cartels are the single gravest drug threat that this country faces.  President Trump recognizes this, and the day I was sworn in as Attorney General, he ordered me to dismantle transnational criminal organizations, including the cartels.  We have been faithful to that order.  Today, I am announcing 15 indictments returned against the leaders of CJNG. These indictments are our next steps—but not our last.  We will continue following President Trump’s order.”

“DEA has a strong partnership with the Government of Mexico that is demonstrated in the relentless pursuit of the violent leadership of the CJNG cartel,” said Acting Administrator Dhillon. “We will continue to work closely with our international partners to bring Nemiso Cervantes aka El Mencho to justice and dismantle drug cartels like CJNG.”

Unsealing of Indictments

Today, the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of California, the Northern District of Illinois, the Southern District of Mississippi, and the Eastern District of Virginia are announcing 15 indictments, some recently unsealed, against the following CJNG leaders, financiers, transporters, and sources of drug supply:

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, aka “Mencho”:  Oseguera Cervantes, 52, is the lead defendant in a three-count superseding indictment returned in the District of Columbia in 2017 alleging that he is the leader of a Continuing Criminal Enterprise, conspired to distribute significant quantities of narcotics for illegal importation into the United States, and has used a firearm during and in relation to these drug trafficking crimes.  In addition to the indictment in the District of Columbia, Oseguera Cervantes has also been charged with drug trafficking offenses in the Southern District of Mississippi (SDMS).  He is currently a fugitive and was designated as a “Kingpin” under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act by the Department of the Treasury in April 2015.

Ruben Oseguera Gonzalez, aka, “Menchito”:  Oseguera Gonzalez, 28, Oseguera Cervantes’ son, served as the CJNG’s second in command until the time of his arrest by Mexican authorities in June 2015.  Oseguera Gonzalez is charged in a two-count indictment returned in the District of Columbia in 2017 alleging that between 2007 and February 2017, Oseguera Gonzalez engaged a conspiracy to distribute significant quantities of narcotics for illegal importation into the United States and that Oseguera Gonzalez engaged in the use of a firearm during and in relation to one or more drug trafficking crimes.  Oseguera Gonzalez remains in Mexican custody and is currently pending extradition to the United States.

Abigael Gonzalez Valencia: Gonzalez Valencia, 45, the head of the “Cuinis” organization, is charged in a three-count indictment returned in the District of Columbia in 2014 alleging that he was a leader in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise, conspired to distribute significant quantities of narcotics for illegal importation into the United States, and used a firearm during and in relation to one or more drug trafficking crimes.  The CJNG has flourished in significant part because of its close affiliation with the Cuinis organization, which is the primary financial support network of the CJNG drug trafficking efforts.  

The Cuinis organization is composed of multiple members of the Gonzalez Valencia family.  The relationship between the Cuinis organization and the CJNG is cemented through both intertwined drug trafficking and money laundering dealings as well as familial relationships, including the marriage of one member of the Gonzalez Valencia family to CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes.  Gonzalez Valencia was designated as a “Kingpin” under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act by the Department of the Treasury in April 2015.  Gonzalez Valencia was arrested by Mexican authorities in February 2015 pursuant to his charges in the United States and is awaiting extradition.

Jesus Contreras Arceo, aka “Canasto”:   Contreras Arceo, 41, is charged in a two-count indictment returned in the Eastern District of Virginia in 2017 alleging that between 2011 until March 2017, Contreras Arceo engaged in a conspiracy to distribute significant quantities of narcotics for illegal importation into the United States and that Contreras Arceo engaged in a conspiracy to commit money laundering.  Contreras Arceo was arrested by Mexican authorities in July 2018 pursuant to his charges in the United States and is awaiting extradition.

Erick Valencia Salazar, aka “El 85”:  Valencia Salazar, 41, is charged in a one-count indictment returned in the District of Columbia in 2018 alleging that between 2003 until August 2018, Valencia Salazar engaged in a conspiracy to distribute significant quantities of narcotics for illegal importation into the United States.  Valencia Salazar is currently a fugitive and is believed to be in Mexico.

Juan Perez-Vargas, aka, “Piolin”:  Perez-Vargas, 37, is charged in a two-count indictment returned in the Southern District of California in 2017 alleging that Perez-Vargas engaged in a conspiracy to distribute significant quantities of narcotics for illegal importation into the United States.  Perez-Vargas was arrested by Mexican authorities in September 2017 pursuant to his charges in the United States and is awaiting extradition.

Diego Pineda Sanchez, aka “Botas” and Carlos Parra-Pedroza:  Pineda Sanchez, 33, and Parra-Pedroza, 35, are charged with 28 others in a 63-count indictment returned in the Northern District of Illinois in 2015, alleging that between 2011 and September 2014, Pineda Sanchez and Parra-Pedroza led a Mexico-based conspiracy to launder more than $100 million in narcotics proceeds belonging to Mexico-based drug traffickers, through the purchase and resale of gold.  

The evidence in the case established that Pineda Sanchez and Parra-Pedroza laundered most of these narcotics proceeds on behalf of CJNG and its leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes aka “Mencho.”  Pineda Sanchez and Parra-Pedroza have pleaded guilty to the money laundering conspiracy charges, and are facing a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  On Oct. 5, Pineda Sanchez was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison by the U.S. District Court in Chicago.  The Court will set a sentencing date for Parra-Pedroza at a status hearing on Nov. 1.  All other charged and arrested members of the conspiracy have pleaded guilty and have either been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing.

The following individuals linked to the CJNG have also been indicted as a result of the coordinated efforts against the cartel:

Oswaldo de Jesus Miramontes-Diaz, 44, was charged in the Central District of California in 2015. Miramontes-Diaz is currently serving a sentence pursuant to the charges in the United States;Gerardo Gonzalez Valencia, aka, “Lalo,” 41, was charged in the District of Columbia in 2016. He was arrested by Uruguayan authorities in April 2016 on these charges, and is awaiting extradition;
Jose Gonzalez Valencia, aka, “Chepa,” 42, was charged in the District of Columbia in 2016. He was arrested by Brazilian authorities in December 2017 on these charges, and is awaiting extradition;Ulises Yovany Mora-Tapia, aka, “Yiyo,” 33, was charged in the District of Columbia in 2016. Mora-Tapia is currently a fugitive and is believed to be in Mexico;Jorge Manuel Cobian-Gonzalez, 43, was charged in the Eastern District of Virginia in 2017. Cobian-Gonzalez is currently awaiting trial;Juan Manuel Abouzaid El Bayeh aka, “El Escorpion,” 45, was charged in the District of Columbia in 2017. Abouzaid El Bayeh is currently a fugitive and is believed to be in Mexico; andAlfredo Galindo-Salazar aka, “Tucan,” 47, was charged in the District of Columbia in 2018. Galindo-Salazar is currently a fugitive and is believed to be in Mexico.Treasury OFAC Designations

Since April 2015, OFAC has announced nine designation actions totaling 63 separate individuals and entities in Mexico tied to the CJNG and the Cuinis organization.  In the initial 2015 designation action, both Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes and Abigael Gonzalez Valencia were designated by OFAC as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.  These Kingpin Act designation actions targeting the CJNG and the Cuinis organization are among the most aggressive and targeted in OFAC’s history against Mexican drug trafficking organizations.  Based upon this series of OFAC designations, Mexican authorities were able to seize the Hotelito Desconocido, an exclusive boutique hotel on the Pacific coast of Mexico, which was controlled by members of Los Cuinis organization.  OFAC designations have allowed U.S. and Mexican government officials to follow the money of the CJNG and the Cuinis organization in an effort to disrupt their money laundering activities.

“Treasury has strategically targeted leaders of CJNG and the Cuinis organizations, as well as complicit family members, criminal operatives, and businesses under their control,” said OFAC Director Gacki.  “Our goal is to disrupt the cartels’ finances, which are overwhelmingly generated from drug sales that occur in the United States, and deny them access to the U.S. financial system.  OFAC is committed to working with the Department of Justice and Mexican counterparts in order to apply economic pressure on CJNG and the Cuinis organizations until they are effectively dismantled.”

As part of continuing efforts to cripple the operations of the CJNG, the U.S. Department of State has previously issued a number of rewards through the Narcotics Rewards Program for information leading to the arrest of critical CJNG operatives.  Previously, the Department of State issued rewards through the Narcotics Rewards Program for up to the amount of $5 million for information leading to the arrests of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, Abigael Gonzalez Valencia, and Jose Gonzalez Valencia. Effective immediately, the Department of State is announcing an increase to the Narcotics Rewards Program reward for information leading to the arrest of the leader of the CJNG, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes aka, “El Mencho.”  Now $10 million, the reward is one of the largest ever approved for the Narcotics Rewards Program. Additionally, the Department of State is announcing a Narcotics Rewards Program reward for information leading to the arrest of high ranking CJNG member Erick Valencia Salazar, aka, “El 85,” in the amount of $5 million.  

Individuals with information about this organization should contact law enforcement authorities by calling 1-213-237-9990, via email at MENCHOTIPS@usdoj.gov, or via Twitter by contacting the handle, @DEALosAngeles.

“The $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of “El Mencho” is among the highest the Narcotics Rewards Program currently offers,” said Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Madison.  “This reflects the U.S. government’s strong commitment to bringing Oseguera Cervantes to justice.” 

Indictment of Menchito son... by Chivis Martinez on Scribd