Rubén Oseguera González, known as 'El Menchito' and considered the second-in-command of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was sentenced to life in prison in the United States. The judicial process that culminated in this sentence lasted nearly ten years. Oseguera González was first arrested in January 2015 but was later released due to a failure in the Mexican judicial system. Subsequently, in 2020, Mexico extradited him to the United States.
During 'El Menchito's' trial, U.S. prosecutors described his actions as those of a true mass murderer and an extremely violent person. The multiple crimes committed by Oseguera González while leading the CJNG's drug trafficking operations were detailed. Between 2007 and 2017, he was accused of directing the international organization responsible for importing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico to the United States.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 'El Menchito' carried out violent activities such as murders, kidnappings, and torture to strengthen the cartel. During his leadership, fentanyl was manufactured to flood the U.S. market with lethal drugs. The life sentence was handed down by Judge Beryl Howell of the federal district court in Columbia, Washington. Additionally, a multimillion-dollar fine was imposed on the drug trafficker as restitution.
The U.S. government will confiscate more than 6 billion dollars from 'El Menchito' as part of his sentence. Oseguera Cervantes's defense had requested a minimum sentence of 40 years, arguing that their client was recruited at the young age of 14 to join his family's drug trafficking activities. The judge determined that 35-year-old Rubén Oseguera González will spend the rest of his life in prison after being found guilty of trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as illegal possession of firearms.
