Reputed 'El Chapo' associate pleads guilty in Chicago court

Published April 28, 2016

A reputed associate of Mexican cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has pleaded guilty to helping move more than $1.5 million in drug money between the U.S. and Mexico.

Edgar Manuel Valencia Ortega entered the plea Wednesday in Chicago federal court. The Chicago Tribune reports (http://trib.in/1SMOhjl ) that he admitted to laundering money related to sale of cocaine in Chicago and Los Angeles. Prosecutors say Ortega isn't expected to face other charges in connection with importing the drug.

U.S. authorities say the 28-year-old Ortega's nickname was "the Fox." He faces up to 20 years in prison and is to be sentenced Aug. 3.

Ortega was arrested in Las Vegas in 2014 and brought to Chicago, where other alleged Guzman subordinates have been charged.

Guzman is leader of the Sinaloa cartel. He was captured in January.

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com

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