Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. free of jail in Mexico whereas awaiting trial over alleged cartel ties

Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. was launched Sunday from a jail in northern Mexico the place he was despatched in August after being deported from the USA.

The boxer, son of Mexican boxing nice Julio César Chávez, is awaiting trial on accusations of involvement with cartels and illegally trafficking arms into Mexico.

Chávez was launched after a decide within the northern Mexican metropolis of Hermosillo stated he would not have to stay in custody whereas awaiting trial, however that he was prohibited from leaving Mexico, a federal agent advised The Related Press on situation of anonymity as a result of he was not licensed to talk publicly. The decide additionally set a three-month interval for additional investigation into the case.

Chávez’s lawyer, Rubén Fernando Benítez Alvarez, confirmed that the courtroom imposed further measures. He described the claims in opposition to his shopper as “hypothesis” and “city legends” following the courtroom listening to on Saturday within the northern Mexican metropolis of Hermosillo.

If convicted, Chávez — who took half within the listening to just about from a detention facility — might face a jail sentence of between 4 and eight years, Alvarez stated. The subsequent listening to is about for Nov. 24, the Agence France-Presse reported.

Chávez, 39, who had been dwelling in the USA for a number of years, was arrested in early July by U.S. brokers exterior his Los Angeles residence for overstaying his visa and offering inaccurate particulars on an utility to acquire a inexperienced card. The arrest got here simply days after a combat he had with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Los Angeles.

The boxer was then deported by the U.S. on Aug. 19 and handed over to brokers of the Federal Legal professional Common’s Workplace in Sonora state, who transferred him to the Federal Social Reintegration Heart in Hermosillo.

Since 2019, Mexican prosecutors have been investigating the boxer following a grievance filed by U.S. authorities in opposition to the Sinaloa Cartel for organized crime, human trafficking, arms trafficking and drug trafficking.

The case led to investigations in opposition to 13 individuals, amongst them Ovidio Guzmán López — the son of convicted drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán — together with some collaborators, hitmen and accomplices of the felony group. Guzmán López was arrested in January 2023 and extradited to the U.S. eight months later. 

Following the inquiry, the Federal Legal professional Common’s Workplace issued a number of arrest warrants, together with one in opposition to Chávez.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum stated Chávez was wished since 2023 in Mexico, however that he wasn’t detained as a result of he spent more often than not within the U.S.

The high-profile case come because the Trump administration is pressuring Mexico to crack down on organized crime, canceling visas of notable Mexican artists and celebrities and ramping up deportations.

Chávez has struggled with drug habit all through his profession and has been arrested a number of instances. In 2012, he was discovered responsible of driving beneath the affect in Los Angeles and was sentenced to 13 days in jail.

He was arrested final 12 months for weapons possession. Police reported that Chávez had two rifles. He was launched shortly afterward upon posting $50,000 bail, on the situation that he attend a facility to obtain remedy for his habit.