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Thursday, January 11, 2024

El Chapo's Logistics Coordinator Imprisoned in Chicago Asks for Leniency in His 22-Year Sentence

"Anonymous" for Borderland Beat

Alfredo Vásquez Hernández, also known as Alberto Bazan Orozco, was financially sanctioned by the US government in September 2011 (photo credit: OFAC)

Alfredo Vasquez Hernandez, 68, who held a prominent position within the inner circle of Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, stands as one of the highest-ranking members sentenced in Chicago. Currently serving a 22-year prison term imposed in 2014, Vasquez-Hernandez is seeking a potential reduction.

In a comprehensive 13-page letter addressed to U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman, he argues that he meets the criteria for early release as outlined in the First Step Act, a legislative measure signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2018. Citing health issues and modifications in drug sentencing laws, Vasquez-Hernandez advocates for reconsideration of his sentence.

Having been in federal custody for 13 years, Vasquez-Hernandez anticipates release within the next two years, factoring in accrued "good time" due to a clean record and completed educational courses while in prison. However, he contends that the conditions at the Fort Dix federal correctional center in New Jersey, where he is currently held, are deplorable.

Furthermore, he disputes his classification as a "manager or supervisor," a designation that would have shortened his prison sentence. Representing himself legally, Vasquez-Hernandez petitions the judge to amend his sentence to "time served."

While El Chapo, his lifelong friend, serves a life sentence in a federal prison in Colorado, four of El Chapo's sons faced federal charges in Chicago last year, accused of continuing their father's multibillion-dollar drug enterprise. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, one of El Chapo's sons, was extradited from Mexico to Chicago.

Margarito and Pedro Flores, who were among El Chapo's prominent cocaine customers and grew up in Little Village, cooperated with the government against both El Chapo and Vasquez-Hernandez. In exchange for their testimony, the twin brothers received lenient 14-year sentences.

In 2009, Margarito Flores testified before a grand jury, stating, “On behalf of Chapo... Alfredo organized the transportation of cocaine from Colombia to Mexico in airplanes; was involved in the transportation of cocaine from Colombia to Mexico in submarines and ‘submergibles’ or semi-submersible vessels... and facilitated the transportation of cocaine in rail cars.”

Prosecutors alleged that Vasquez-Hernandez served as the cartel's logistics coordinator, overseeing the transportation of multi-ton shipments of cocaine into the United States. In 2014, he pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, specifically involving a 276-kilogram shipment of cocaine from Mexico to Chicago by train.

Vasquez-Hernandez's attorney contended that the Flores twins had exaggerated his role within the cartel. Even Judge Ruben Castillo, presiding at the time, expressed confusion over the government's inability to demonstrate how Vasquez-Hernandez, who presented himself as a body shop worker, had become affluent through his association with El Chapo.

“He has no assets — it’s like he’s Mr. X. I’d like to know who it is that I’m sentencing,” Castillo said, expressing bewilderment at Vasquez-Hernandez's apparent lack of identifiable wealth and suggesting the possibility of a concealed "small fortune."

In his letter to the court dated December 26, Vasquez-Hernandez contends that "no one is frozen in time" and asserts his rehabilitation during his prison term. He acknowledges the folly of the life path that led him to break the law, describing it as "stupid, unnecessary, and wrong."

Notably, he highlights his clean prison record without any infractions. Despite not being a fluent English speaker, he reveals his commitment to pursuing educational goals by preparing for a General Equivalency Degree (GED) test, especially as he lacks a high school diploma. 

Vasquez-Hernandez lists various classes he has taken in prison, including accounting, parenting, painting, and vocational courses. Federal prosecutors are expected to respond to Vasquez-Hernandez’s letter by February 1.

Sources: Chicago Sun-Times

19 comments:

  1. Not surprised. Once they got get, they cry and beg for us to forgive them. These sentences should never be reduced. If anything they should be locked up for longer.

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    1. Not even your ask you for forgiveness silly

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    2. That’s not the way the law works, and we have to abide by the law, even when they are sentenced. That’s the beauty of the USA… it’s fair, but I get your point and contention for anyone reading it to say it is unfair. Your comment is very biased and does not present a good logic

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    3. They should all get the death penalty twice, followed by 450 thousand years in the hole.

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  2. Cdn has left a head (female) in zacatecas

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  3. I think he may get released early bc of what the judge said in his sentencing...

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  4. This the Alfredo Vasquez that Chapo named Alfredillo after? Who also is his godson? Read it on the book Stalking El Chapo.

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  5. So “build the wall and let them pay for it”Donald signed a bill that allows drug traffickers to be released early? Wonder how much money he pocketed from so called mexican businessmen. Whats next, republicans opening the boarder and holding hands with the democrats?

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    Replies
    1. It does not just apply to drug dealers, or those who get charged with drug charges. It was for everyone to have a second chance since prisons are expensive and overcrowded. Trump also has people he knows who get charged with shit, it’s a hookup. I like it

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    2. 10:24 all that did and is doing is letting scum bags back out to do the exact same shit if not worse.

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  6. Back in the day, the government was throwing away the key to X & Y convicts. (crack epidemic)
    Time has passed and now there are new convicts (meth & opioids) to make room for, so they ammended the law to reduce time to some federal prisoners.

    *Let's not fool ourselves, MX will never pay for the wall. (deep pockets on this side of the border, extremely deep)

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  7. CDS are the biggest informants on US soil

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  8. You can run but can not hide, you will get caught sometime.

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  9. Why do Sinaloas snitch so much?

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  10. Segun bien belicones los CDS y alrato con el gabacho salen bien pericones cantando rogando soltando la sopa hahaha

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  11. No que muy entron? Ahora súplica y llora

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  12. So who has been writing checks to his lawyers for the last 10 years

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