Overview

• He admitted guilt to leading a continuing criminal enterprise in the Eastern District of New York and to a RICO conspiracy count transferred from the Western District of Texas under Rule 20.
• In his courtroom statement, he said he led the Sinaloa Cartel from 1989 to 2024 and paid bribes to police, military and politicians in Mexico.
• The Justice Department has formally notified the court it will not seek the death penalty in his case.
• Judge Brian Cogan referenced the government’s valuation of $15 billion in illicit proceeds, and multiple outlets report the agreement includes forfeiture or payment of that amount.
• He faces a potential life term at sentencing, and while the plea allows for possible cooperation with U.S. authorities, his attorney said there is no cooperation agreement.