**Gerardo Ortiz Seeks Plea Deal to Avoid Long Prison Sentence and Hefty Fine**
Gerardo Ortiz, a renowned American singer known for his narcorrido music, is currently navigating a legal storm as he continues to testify in a Federal Court in Los Angeles. On March 20, 2025, Ortiz expressed his hope that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will consider his cooperation efforts to mitigate the potential consequences of his charges.
Ortiz faces a charge of conspiracy for violating the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, commonly known as the “Kingpin Act,” which allows the U.S. to sanction individuals involved in international narcotics trafficking. The 35-year-old singer admitted to performing at several concerts arranged by his former manager Ángel del Villar in Mexico. Del Villar was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2018 for allegedly laundering money for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Ortiz’s performances, which toured cities across Mexico such as Pénjamo, Culiacán, Tlaxcala, and more, earned him roughly $1.5 million. Although he signed a plea agreement in February 2024, Ortiz has yet to be arrested by the FBI. During the court proceedings, he acknowledged the charges against him and expressed his intentions to cooperate to potentially reduce a looming 10-year prison sentence and a $1 million fine.
Despite his cautious approach, Ortiz has testified against Del Villar, the music producer credited with elevating his career. The details of Ortiz’s plea agreement remain sealed, but his case is under the jurisdiction of Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong. Ortiz is hopeful that his cooperation will lead to a more lenient recommendation from the prosecution.
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