Ovidio Guzmán Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Could Avoid Life Sentence

Ovidio Guzmán Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking.

Son of El Chapo Accepts Charges.

Ovidio Avoids Trial and Life Sentence.

The son of ‘El Chapo’ accepted four charges in a Chicago court.

And agreed to cooperate with U.S. authorities.

This in order to receive a reduced sentence.

So reported EFE.

Ovidio Guzmán Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking

Timeline of the Ovidio Guzmán case, the first son of ‘El Chapo’ to admit crimes before U.S. justice. https://t.co/tsIzkqj7xM

— Univision Noticias (@UniNoticias) July 11, 2025

Ovidio Guzmán López, one of the sons of Joaquín «El Chapo» Guzmán and identified as a leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, pleaded guilty this Thursday before a federal court in Chicago.

The plea covers four serious charges related to drug trafficking, organized crime, and fentanyl trafficking, allowing him to avoid a trial and possibly a life sentence.

During the hearing, Ovidio appeared dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, with a beard, glasses, and a serious demeanor. He listened to Judge Sharon Coleman’s questions through headphones and answered “yes” to each of the charges.

He is 35 years old, and his appearance contrasted sharply with the image he projected before his extradition.

The prosecutor in the case hinted that Guzmán has reached a cooperation agreement and that the prosecution will only seek a sentence shorter than life imprisonment if the defendant fulfills the terms of the deal.

This would imply—although it was not explicitly stated—providing valuable information to help dismantle drug trafficking networks.

Cooperation and Mental Health

By pleading guilty, Ovidio Guzmán, son of «El Chapo,» mentioned he is depressed and taking medication, but said this did not influence his decision. pic.twitter.com/2Y12pwEEeq

— Soledad Durazo Barceló (@SoledadDurazo) July 11, 2025

Ovidio Guzmán spoke to affirm that his decision was voluntary and not the result of coercion. He revealed that he has suffered from depression since October 2024 and is on medication.

His willingness to cooperate with U.S. authorities could prove pivotal in the fight against transnational organized crime.

The prosecution described him as an active leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, involved in drug trafficking operations, money laundering, and the murder of at least three individuals.

Although Guzmán did not deny any of the allegations, he remained silent during the reading of the facts.

In addition to the possible prison sentence, he has been ordered to pay an $80 million fine, although the final amount, as well as his sentence, will be determined by Judge Coleman within six months.

A Blow to the Sinaloa Cartel

#11jul Ovidio Guzmán, son of El Chapo, pleaded guilty to four drug trafficking charges in the U.S. https://t.co/5dWln0wKZp

— El Nacional (@ElNacionalWeb) July 11, 2025

Ovidio Guzmán’s guilty plea marks a significant moment in the U.S. offensive against Mexican cartels, particularly the Sinaloa cartel.

The agreement with authorities could grant access to crucial information about routes, partners, and the cartel’s internal structures.

The United States has intensified its prosecution of the so-called “Chapitos,” heirs to the cartel’s leadership.

This strategy aims to dismantle networks responsible for producing and trafficking fentanyl, a substance linked to tens of thousands of overdose deaths in the U.S. in recent years.

ALSO OF INTEREST: Ovidio Guzmán to Plead Guilty in Chicago After Deal With Prosecutors