Daughter of elusive Mexican cartel leader El Mencho pleads guilty to felony in US

Top U.S. target "El Mencho," the leader of a global cartel powerhouse, has dodged capture for years, but his daughter pleaded guilty Friday in a Washington, D.C., courtroom and may spend several years in prison.

Jessica Oseguera González, a 34-year-old mother who lived in Guadalajara, is the daughter of Rúben Oseguera Cervantes, head of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación, or CJNG — blamed along with the infamous Sinaloa Cartel for the bulk of illegal and deadly drugs saturating the U.S. The U.S. is offering $10 million for help capturing the billionaire fugitive.

The cover of The Courier Journal's special investigation of El Mencho's American Empire.
Oseguera Gonzáez drove across the border last March to support her brother in court after his arrest and extradition on drug trafficking charges, according to court records and drug agents. Oseguera González, known as "La Negra," didn't know an American grand jury had indicted her on charges of violating the Kingpin Act, so she strolled into the courthouse and into police custody

La Negra, who was born in California and remains a dual citizen, has remained jailed ever since, despite pleas to be released on bond due to concerns about COVID-19. Her trial was slated to start March 22, but she pleaded guilty this week to owning or having business dealings with several companies blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury Department due to their affiliation with cartels. U.S. citizens have been banned from associating with her advertising firm as well as Las Flores Cabanas, two sushi restaurants and Onze Black, a tequila label, since Sept. 17, 2015.