Ángel del Villar Found Guilty of Ties to Jalisco New Generation Cartel – Here’s What We Know
A federal court found Ángel del Villar, the CEO of Del Records, was found guilty. The case was a deep look into the connection between the regional Mexican music industry and organized cartel enterprises. Del Villar’s conviction could mean trouble for the regional Mexican music industry.
A court found Ángel del Villar guilty of conspiring to do business with a criminal organization
Del Villar and his talent agency Del Entertainment are guilty of conspiring to do business with a criminal organization. Specifically, the music executive and talent agency, according to the court, violated the U.S. Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. Del Villar faces a maximum of 30 years in federal prison. His sentencing will happen on August 15, 2025. He is currently free on a $100,000 bail.
“The defendants here chose to get into business with an individual they knew had ties to the [Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación] CJNG and had been designated a narcotics trafficker under the Kingpin Act,” acting U.S. Atty. Joseph McNally told the LA Times. “Cartels and transnational criminal organizations cause immeasurable harm to our country. We are using every tool to eliminate these organizations and will prosecute those that do business with cartels.”
According to the prosecutors’ case, del Villar willingly did business with music promoter Jesús Pérez Alvear, a.k.a. “Chucho.” Between 2018 and 2019, del Villar worked with Pérez to put together a series of concerts, which prosecutors argued violated federal law. Pérez, who pleaded guilty to the same charges, was found murdered in Mexico in December 2024.
Del Villar attempted to push blame for the crime on a different Del Records employee
During the case, del Villar’s legal team tried to point blame to Brian Gutiérrez. The legal team claimed that Gutiérrez conspired with the government to take down del Villar.
Gutiérrez’s legal representation pushed back against these claims. They claim that del Villar knew he was going to be in trouble and tried to pin the blame on Gutiérrez to avoid taking accountability.
“The truth is that Mr. Gutierrez is an honest person with a distinguished record who saw something illegal occurring at his work, blew the whistle on it, was fired, and then had his reputation damaged,” Paul K. Schrieffer, an attorney for Gutiérrez, told the LA Times in an emailed statement.
This is going to have deep ramifications for regional Mexican music
Del Records and Del Entertainment is responsible for launching the careers of narcocorrido singers like Gerardo Ortiz. Peso Pluma’s song “Ella Baila Sola” is still owned by Del Records. The fate of the company is unknown after the conviction.
Additionally, the music industry in Latin America is going to feel the consequences. According to Latin Times, the practice of working with organized criminal enterprises is an open secret in Latin America. This is particularly true in countries where cartels have outsized influence, like Mexico.
Del Villar’s legal team has said they disagree with the results of the case and plan to appeal.
