RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KTSM) — Cristian Fernando Gutierrez Ochoa, a high-ranking member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was arrested this week in Riverside, California. The 37-year-old is facing federal charges related to drug trafficking and money laundering after evading capture by faking his own death.
Gutierrez Ochoa, the son-in-law of the notorious cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho,” had been living under a false identity in the United States. Authorities say he faked his death in 2021 and fled to the U.S. after kidnapping two Mexican Navy members. His arrest comes after a year-long investigation into his criminal activities.
Prosecutors allege that Gutierrez Ochoa conspired to smuggle thousands of kilograms of methamphetamine and cocaine into the U.S. to fund the operations of the Jalisco cartel, one of the most dangerous drug trafficking organizations globally. His involvement in the cartel’s activities is also tied to a kidnapping incident, where he allegedly abducted the Navy members to secure the release of “El Mencho’s” wife, who had been arrested by Mexican authorities.
The U.S. Justice Department commended the work of law enforcement in tracking down and arresting Gutierrez Ochoa, despite his efforts to evade justice. “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,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.
Gutierrez Ochoa’s capture is part of a broader effort to dismantle the Jalisco Cartel’s operations. The U.S. State Department has also offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest of his father-in-law, “El Mencho,” who remains one of the most-wanted criminals in the world.
In a related case, Rubén Oseguera, known as “El Menchito,” was convicted in September on charges involving drug trafficking and the use of violence in his father’s drug empire. The conviction highlighted the cartel’s ruthless tactics and the ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to dismantle the cartel’s global network.
As of now, Gutierrez Ochoa is in custody, facing a range of federal charges. His capture marks a significant blow to the CJNG’s operations in the U.S. and sends a strong message about the commitment of law enforcement to pursue justice for cartel-related crimes.