Del Records Chief Receives Four-Year Sentence for Kingpin Act Breach

## Sentencing of Del Records Founder

The creator of the well-known música Mexicana label Del Records was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of engaging in illegal business activities with a designated drug trafficker. This conviction, linked to violations of the Kingpin Act, was handed down by a jury in March.

Ángel Del Villar must also pay a hefty fine of $2 million and will undergo three years of supervised release. His sister was visibly emotional during the sentencing, while Del Villar seemed to exhale a sigh of relief upon hearing the judge’s directive to report to prison officials by December 1.

### Courtroom Reactions

Federal prosecutors had initially sought a longer sentence of six and a half years. U.S. District Court Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong remarked on Del Villar’s contributions to music and culture, despite the closed courtroom proceedings that lasted over two hours for privacy reasons related to witness agreements and health records.

“I’m truly sorry to meet you under these circumstances,” Judge Frimpong said directly to Del Villar. She acknowledged the significant amount of letters submitted in his support from diverse individuals.

### Business Connections

Following a two-week trial, jurors found Del Villar guilty of knowingly conducting business with Mexican promoter Jesus “Chucho” Pérez Alvear and his company, Gallistica Diamante. These dealings were illegal as they had been linked to facilitating money laundering for the notorious Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). Del Villar’s most popular artist, Gerardo Ortiz, reportedly expressed concern about potential legal repercussions if he continued to perform at Pérez’s events after sanctions were imposed on CJNG.

Prosecutors claimed Del Villar “ignored” Ortiz’s apprehensions and continued these illicit transactions, generating over $1.5 million.

### Defense Arguments

Del Villar’s legal team argued that he was manipulated by a former employee who assured him that collaborations with Pérez would be acceptable. Ortiz, who was signed to Del Records from 2009 to 2019, was noted to have pled guilty regarding his involvement in the case.

FBI agents identified Ortiz at a Phoenix airport, presenting him with a letter that indicated he needed to cease performance at Pérez’s events. Despite this, Ortiz continued performing, strongly influenced by Del Villar, who allegedly dismissed federal warnings. Ortiz went on to perform 19 more concerts for Pérez after being informed of the legal implications.

### Further Developments

In her opening statement, Del Villar’s attorney sought to shift the blame onto a former company vice president who allegedly disregarded the earlier guidance concerning Ortiz’s participation in the concert series.

It’s important to note that Ortiz departed from Del Records in 2019 over a contract dispute. His legal representation clarified that although he pled guilty, it was specifically related to his own performances, not as part of a conspiracy involving drug cartels.

More recently, another artist associated with Del Records, Ricardo Hernández Medrano—also known as “El Makabelico”—was designated as a “specially designated narcotics trafficker” under the Kingpin Act. This designation came amid allegations that he used concerts and music royalties to facilitate money laundering for the Cartel del Noreste.

What are your thoughts on the developments surrounding Del Records and the music industry’s complicated ties to criminal organizations?