World · North America · 1 hr ago
El Mencho’s brother sentenced to 22.5 years in US prison
Antonio Oseguera Cervantes was sentenced to 22.5 years in US prison on Friday.
He pleaded guilty in July to conspiring to send cocaine and methamphetamine to the United States and to a firearms offense connected to the conspiracy.
He worked with his brother, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, who was killed by the Mexican army in February.
El Mencho co-founded and led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, one of Mexico’s powerful drug trafficking groups.
Prosecutors said Antonio helped handle cartel proceeds and money laundering; his lawyers asked for a shorter sentence and said he accepted responsibility.
The sentence follows his guilty plea and ends this US criminal case, though the sources do not say what happens next.
Antonio Oseguera Cervantes was sentenced Friday to 22.5 years in U.S. prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
He is the brother of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the cartel leader known as El Mencho, who was killed by the Mexican army in February.
Prosecutors said Antonio Oseguera Cervantes worked for cartels with his brother and later reported directly to him in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Prosecutors recommended a 30-year sentence, while his attorneys asked for 20 years.
The articles give different ages for Antonio Oseguera Cervantes: 67 in CBS News and 68 in the Associated Press.
- Who
- Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, brother of cartel leader El Mencho.
- What
- He was sentenced to 22.5 years in U.S. prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
- When
- Friday, November 13, 2026.
- Where
- U.S. federal court in Washington.
- Why
- He pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine for importation into the United States and to a firearms offense.
Prosecutors
Antonio Oseguera Cervantes’ attorneys
Recommended sentence
Prosecutors
Prosecutors recommended 30 years in prison.
Antonio Oseguera Cervantes’ attorneys
His attorneys requested a 20-year prison sentence.
Responsibility and conduct
Prosecutors
Prosecutors said his duties included receiving CJNG drug proceeds, managing money laundering and supervising meth laboratories.
Antonio Oseguera Cervantes’ attorneys
His attorneys said he accepted full responsibility and blamed no one but himself.
The Mexican government handed Antonio Oseguera Cervantes over to U.S. authorities.
The Mexican army killed El Mencho.
Antonio Oseguera Cervantes pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges.
Antonio Oseguera Cervantes was sentenced in the United States.
- Sentence
- 22.5 years in U.S. prison
- Defendant
- Antonio Oseguera Cervantes
- Alias
- Tony Montana
- Guilty plea
- July
- Cartel
- Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)
3 sources
What people are saying
Oseguera Cervantes’ sentence sends a clear message to criminals around the world that the Department of Justice is committed to the total elimination of drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations, including the CJNG
deeply sorry for my actions and for the harm they caused.
One of my greatest fears is that I will die far away from my family
Rival cartels rarely settle disputes through diplomacy alone.