A former fugitive who laundered millions of dollars in Sinaloa Cartel drug proceeds has been sentenced to federal prison in San Antonio.
On October 20, 2016, Mauricio Sanchez-Garza, a 46-year-old Mexican national, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Between 2005 and July 2011, Sanchez-Garza, along with his brother Alejandro Sanchez-Garza and Jorge Sanchez, conspired to transport and conduct financial transactions with proceeds derived from illegal drug trafficking to conceal the nature of the funds.
The defendants entered into joint ventures with drug traffickers, funneling proceeds through their businesses and corporate entities to make the proceeds appear legitimate and lawful, insulate the drug traffickers from evidence of criminal involvement, and attempt to make a profit for both the defendants and the drug traffickers.
Sanchez-Garza had been a fugitive since fleeing the United States in 2010 to avoid prosecution. He was extradited to the United States from Mexico in July 2016 and has remained in federal custody since.
On August 19, 2014, Alejandro Sanchez-Garza was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
On June 12, 2013, Jorge Sanchez was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of extortion.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and the Texas Attorney General’s Office, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs in obtaining the extradition of Sanchez-Garza from Mexico.
Sanchez-Garza was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in the money laundering conspiracy.
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant: Mauricio Sanchez-Garza
Criminal Charge: Conspiracy to commit money laundering (one count)
City and State: San Antonio, Texas
Date: October 20, 2016 (sentencing)
Sentence: 63 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release
Amount: Millions of dollars in Sinaloa Cartel drug proceeds
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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