Cartel Leader Who Faked His Own Death, Arrested in California 

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RIVERSIDE- Cristian Fernando Gutierrez Ochoa — the son-in-law of the fugitive Jalisco New Generation cartel boss known as “El Mencho” — was arrested this week on drug trafficking and money laundering offenses in Riverside, California. He had been using a fake name after faking his death and fleeing from Mexico after allegedly kidnapping two sailors of the Mexican Navy, prosecutors said. 

His father in law, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes or “El Mencho,” apparently told associates he killed Gutierrez Ochoa for lying, but in reality helped him escape to the U.S. to be with El Mencho’s daughter according to the DOJ. 

“The Jalisco Cartel — one of the world’s most violent and prolific drug trafficking organizations — is weaker today because of the tenacious efforts of law enforcement to track down and arrest a cartel leader who allegedly faked his own death and assumed a false identity to evade justice and live a life of luxury in California,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in a public statement. 

The U.S. State Department has offered a reward of $10 million for information leading to the arrest of El Mencho who is still on the run.