El Chapo’s Son: No Death Penalty
- Federal prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of the infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquin "el Chapo" Guzman, if he is convicted on...
- The one-sentence notice, filed May 23 in Chicago, offered no clarification for the decision.
- Guzman Lopez has pleaded not guilty to five charges, including drug trafficking, conspiracy, and money laundering.
federal prosecutors have opted against pursuing the death penalty for Joaquin guzman Lopez, the son of notorious drug kingpin “El Chapo,” in his U.S. drug trafficking case. This pivotal decision, revealed in a recent filing, spares Guzman Lopez, 38, from the ultimate punishment despite facing severe charges including drug trafficking and money laundering from within the infamous Sinaloa Cartel. Guzman Lopez, along with his brothers, allegedly took the lead following the extradition of their father in 2017. With the death penalty off the table, legal analysts are watching closely as Ovidio Guzman, another brother, is expected to plead guilty. news Directory 3 provides extensive coverage of this developing story. Discover what’s next as the case unfolds, potentially impacting the future of the “Chapitos.”
‘El Chapo’ Son Will Not Face Death Penalty in US Drug Case
Updated may 28, 2025
Federal prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of the infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquin “el Chapo” Guzman, if he is convicted on drug trafficking charges. Guzman Lopez, 38, was indicted in 2023 along with his brothers, known as the “Chapitos,” on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering.
The one-sentence notice, filed May 23 in Chicago, offered no clarification for the decision. Guzman Lopez and his brothers allegedly assumed leadership of their father’s cartel after “El Chapo” was extradited to the U.S.in 2017. “El Chapo” is currently serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison in Colorado.
Guzman Lopez has pleaded not guilty to five charges, including drug trafficking, conspiracy, and money laundering. One charge carried a potential death sentence becuase it allegedly occurred on U.S. territory. He was arrested in July 2024 with Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada at a New Mexico airfield.
Zambada also pleaded not guilty. his lawyer indicated a willingness to consider a guilty plea if prosecutors ruled out the death penalty. Another brother, Ovidio Guzman, is expected to plead guilty to drug trafficking charges at a July 9 court hearing in Chicago.
“Joaquin and I are looking forward to resolving the charges against him,” Lichtman said.
What’s next
The legal proceedings against Joaquin Guzman Lopez and his brothers are ongoing. Ovidio Guzman’s expected guilty plea on July 9 could considerably impact the case.