Ovidio Guzmán López, son of imprisoned drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, has signed a plea agreement admitting guilt to drug trafficking charges filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to the federal court in the Northern District of Illinois.
The signed document, dated June 30, paves the way for Guzmán López to potentially reduce his sentence through cooperation. A court hearing where he is expected to formally enter his guilty plea is scheduled for July 9 in Chicago.
As part of the agreement, Guzmán López, known as “El Ratón,” may become a protected witness or cooperating informant, providing U.S. prosecutors with intelligence on drug smuggling operations led by his brothers, Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán, collectively known as “Los Chapitos.”
He may also be required to share information about other factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, including “Los Mayitos” — associated with the sons of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada — and rival groups such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
