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Mexico Extradites ‘El Quichi’ to Florida to Face RICO and Forced-Labor Charges

Prosecutors say he used the H‑2A visa program to coerce Mexican farmworkers through debt, document seizures, threats.

Overview

  • Mexico’s attorney general handed Alexander Villatoro Moreno over at Mexico City’s airport for transfer to U.S. custody under the bilateral extradition treaty.
  • He made an initial appearance in federal court in the Middle District of Florida on Nov. 14, where the charges were formally presented.
  • The indictment describes alleged conduct from 2015 to 2017 that recruited workers with false promises, charged illegal fees up to $2,500, seized documents, and compelled excessive hours without pay.
  • He is charged with RICO conspiracy, forced labor, and obstruction-related offenses, and faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
  • Several co-defendants tied to Los Villatoros Harvesting LLC have pleaded guilty and were sentenced, including Bladimir Moreno to 118 months in prison.