USA seeks life sentence for García Luna

The US Prosecutor’s Office seeks that Genaro García Luna, who is currently imprisoned in the United States and was in charge of the Ministry of Public Security, be imprisoned for life, as reported by the Mexican’s defense in a letter.

García Luna’s attorneys noted that the Prosecutor’s Office is seeking offense level 43, which would result in a life sentence. A sentencing hearing by Judge Brian Cogan will take place on June 24.

Subsequently, García Luna’s defense requested a new postponement of the sentencing date until September 16. They argued, among other points, that their request for a new trial has not yet been resolved.

In addition, the defense of the former Mexican official reported that his client has received a Certificate of Recognition from the Bureau of Prisons, “while he is held in the Metropolitan Detention Center” in Brooklyn, New York.

Lawyer César de Castro declared that no acts of criminality on the part of García Luna have been proven nor that he had assisted the Cartel of Sinaloa nor to any other criminal organization.

“Mr. García Luna rejects the accusations of criminality (…) In his position in the Mexican government he did not support any drug cartel. In fact, one of his main responsibilities was to combat the drug cartels in México and support the United States in its efforts to combat drug trafficking.”

García Luna was found guilty in February 2023 of four crimes related to corruption and cocaine drug trafficking, which can carry a sentence of life imprisonment.