On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Ángel Del Villar, the owner of the record label Del Records, was found guilty in a U.S. court of engaging in business with drug traffickers, specifically violating the Kingpin Act. The 45-year-old Mexican businessman from Zacatecas now faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for conducting transactions with organized crime, alongside ten other charges linked to the Act, which imposes sanctions on foreign individuals involved in international drug trafficking.
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, Del Villar, through his concert promotion company Del Entertainment, was convicted of doing business with Jesús Chucho Pérez Alvear, a promoter directly associated with the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and Los Cuinis. Pérez Alvear was designated as a "drug trafficker" in 2018 after it was revealed that he assisted the cartels in laundering money. Tragically, he was shot and killed in a restaurant in the affluent Polanco neighborhood of Mexico City in December 2024.
Del Villar's legal troubles began when he was arrested in June 2022 alongside Luca Scalisi, who was then the CFO of Del Entertainment. Scalisi, 58, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and is set to be tried separately in July 2025. U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong has scheduled a sentencing hearing for Del Villar on August 15, 2025, where he will face the maximum legal penalties for each charge. Furthermore, Del Entertainment will undergo a five-year probation period and could face a fine of up to $10 million.
One of the key testimonies in the trial came from Gerardo Ortiz, a prominent singer in the regional Mexican music scene and a former artist under Del Records. Ortiz admitted in court to having performed concerts for the CJNG and cooperated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a witness in Del Villar's case. The prosecution revealed that FBI agents approached Ortiz at an airport in Phoenix in April 2018, informing him that he needed to cease performances organized by Pérez Alvear. Initially, Ortiz planned to stop his shows for Chucho, but Del Villar convinced him to continue.
Ortiz ultimately pleaded guilty to conspiracy, admitting to participating in at least six performances for the cartel. His confession remained under wraps until March 18, 2025, when federal prosecutor Alex Schwab discussed Ortiz's involvement in the conspiracy to violate the Kingpin Act in court. Ortiz parted ways with Del Records in 2019 amid a contract dispute.
In a statement following the verdict, Del Villar's attorneys expressed their disappointment, stating, "We respect the verdict but strongly disagree and are disappointed. This is one of those occasions when the criminal justice system got it wrong. This case was unique and unprecedented, and it is evident that, unfortunately, its complexity was misunderstood. The fight continues in court; an immediate appeal will be filed."
Del Villar, who moved with his family to California at the age of eight, founded Del Records in 2008. The label has been instrumental in promoting the careers of notable artists in the corrido tumbado and regional Mexican genres, including Gerardo Ortiz, Lenin Ramírez, the group Eslabón Armado, and most notably Peso Pluma. His company produced the successful collaboration between Peso Pluma and Eslabón Armado titled "Ella Baila Sola." This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a U.S. initiative mobilizing all resources of the Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration and dismantle drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent offenders.
As the legal proceedings continue, the implications of Del Villar's conviction extend beyond his personal fate. The case illustrates the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking in the entertainment industry, where connections can lead to significant legal consequences. The intertwining of music and organized crime raises critical questions about the responsibilities of artists and producers in ensuring their business practices do not inadvertently support criminal enterprises.
Del Villar's case serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks faced by those in the entertainment industry, particularly in genres closely associated with regional and narcoculture. The outcome of his sentencing and the future of Del Records remain uncertain as the legal battles unfold. The music industry, already grappling with various challenges, will be watching closely as this case progresses.
In the wake of this verdict, it is crucial for stakeholders in the music industry to reflect on the importance of transparency and ethical practices. The ramifications of this case could potentially lead to heightened scrutiny of artist management and business dealings, urging a shift towards more responsible engagement with the broader community.
As the clock ticks down to the sentencing hearing, the music world holds its breath, aware that the implications of this case could reverberate far beyond the courtroom.
