Overview

• Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada is scheduled to change his plea at a midday hearing on Aug. 25 before Judge Brian Cogan in federal court in Brooklyn.
• Prosecutors consolidated charges from West Texas into New York, bringing the case to about 24 counts, with Zambada expected to plead to a continuous criminal enterprise count and a RICO conspiracy count.
• U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. notified Judge Cogan that the attorney general authorized prosecutors not to seek capital punishment in the case.
• Following the hearing, Attorney General Pam Bondi and senior officials from the DEA, FBI and Homeland Security plan a press conference in Brooklyn that will stream on justice.gov/live.
• Reporting indicates the agreement may involve cooperation that could influence sentencing and custody conditions, with the judge expected to set a timeline that could extend several months while any assistance is assessed.