Ángel del Villar, the CEO of Del Records and representative of regional Mexican music star Gerardo Ortiz, was found guilty in a Los Angeles federal court on March 27, 2025, of violating the Kingpin Act. This law prohibits U.S. citizens and companies from engaging in business with designated drug traffickers, including the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). His trial, which commenced on March 17, 2025, attracted significant media attention due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved.
The jury delivered its verdict after a nine-day trial, during which Ortiz testified against del Villar. Ortiz, who has admitted to having ties with the drug trade, was a key witness, claiming that he performed at concerts organized by Jesús Pérez Alvear, a known associate of the CJNG who was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2018 for money laundering. Ortiz stated, “I prefer a thousand times to be sitting on a fence at home than to be an informant for the government. I wanted to come to the trial; I did not sit down to negotiate or sign to avoid confronting the consequences.”
Del Villar faces a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison, with his sentencing scheduled for August 15, 2025. In addition, his company, Del Entertainment, could receive a five-year probation sentence and a hefty fine of $10 million for each charge. Despite the guilty verdict, del Villar will remain free on bail until his sentencing, having posted a bond of $100,000.
According to the prosecution, del Villar was engaged in illicit business dealings totaling approximately 3.5 million pesos (around $172,000) with Pérez Alvear. The evidence presented included intercepted conversations and financial records that linked del Villar to illegal activities, despite his defense team's claims of insufficient evidence regarding his knowledge of Pérez Alvear's connections to organized crime.
The case has highlighted the intricate relationship between the regional Mexican music industry and organized crime, a connection that has long been rumored but rarely scrutinized in a court of law. Del Villar, who has been a significant figure in promoting narcocorridos—songs that often glorify drug traffickers—has now found himself at the center of a scandal that could reshape the industry.
Gerardo Ortiz, who was among the first artists to be represented by Del Records, has faced his own legal challenges. He pleaded guilty to charges related to his involvement with the drug trade and confirmed that he had performed at multiple concerts organized by Pérez Alvear, despite warnings from federal agents about the promoter’s illegal activities. “Ortiz will recount his experience meeting with the FBI, where he was told he could no longer perform at concerts promoted by Jesús,” stated the U.S. Attorney during the trial.
The testimony revealed that Ortiz had performed at least 19 concerts for Pérez Alvear, and the singer’s relationship with del Villar was characterized by a complex web of business dealings intertwined with criminal enterprises. The trial underscored the risks artists face when navigating the blurred lines between entertainment and illicit activities.
In light of the verdict, del Villar's defense team expressed disappointment, stating, “In the name of Ángel del Villar, we respect the verdict given today, but we disagree and are disappointed by that verdict. This is one of those cases where the criminal justice system got it wrong. This case was unique and unprecedented, and it is clear that this complexity was unfortunately misinterpreted.”
As the music industry watches closely, the implications of this case could resonate far beyond del Villar and Ortiz. The ongoing investigation into the connections between musicians and drug trafficking organizations may lead to further scrutiny of other artists and producers in the regional Mexican music scene.
Following the verdict, Del Records has assured fans and stakeholders that the company will continue to operate normally, emphasizing that the ruling does not affect its business. “This result will not impact Del Records and Del Publishing, as they have nothing to do with this case. They will continue to thrive and grow as giants in the industry,” the company stated.
Del Villar’s arrest in June 2022, alongside Luca Scalisi, the CFO of Del Entertainment, marked the beginning of a significant legal battle that has now culminated in a guilty verdict. The charges against them stemmed from their alleged dealings with individuals sanctioned by the U.S. government due to their ties to drug trafficking leaders.
The case against del Villar is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those in the entertainment industry who may inadvertently cross paths with organized crime. As the trial demonstrated, the consequences of such associations can be severe, not only for those directly involved but also for the broader cultural landscape.
As the sentencing date approaches, many are left wondering what the future holds for del Villar, Ortiz, and the regional Mexican music industry as a whole. The intertwining of music and crime continues to be a topic of discussion and concern, prompting calls for greater accountability and oversight within the industry.
With the court’s decision now made, the focus shifts to the impending sentencing and the potential ramifications for all parties involved. Will del Villar’s conviction serve as a wake-up call for the industry, or will it be just another chapter in a long history of music intertwined with the underworld? Only time will tell.
