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Date: 12-23-2022
Case Style:
United States of America v. Gerardo Gonzales-Valencis, a/k/a Lalo
Case Number: 1:16-cr-00065
Judge: Beryl A. Howell
Court: United States District Court for the District of Columbia (Washington County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Between 2003 and April 2016, Gerado Gonzalez-Valencia, a/k/a Lalo, age 45, was a leader of Los Cuinis, an international drug trafficking organization responsible for importing large quantities of cocaine from South America, Mexico, and elsewhere into the United States. Los Cuinis is closely aligned with the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), which is based in the State of Jalisco in Mexico. Together, Los Cuinis and CJNG form one of the largest, most dangerous, and prolific drug cartels in Mexico. They are responsible for trafficking significant quantities of illegal drugs into the United States and employing extreme violence to further that objective.
Gonzalez-Valencia is the brother of Los Cuinis leaders Abigael Gonzalez-Valencia and Jose Gonzalez-Valencia, and the brother-in-law of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, aka Mencho, the leader of CJNG. Jose Gonzalez-Valencia pleaded guilty to international cocaine trafficking in the District of Columbia earlier this month.
Gonzalez-Valencia pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, knowing and intending that it would be imported into the United States. Gonzalez-Valencia is scheduled to be sentenced on April 6, 2023, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is supported by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).
The DEA Los Angeles Field Division is investigating the case.
Acting Assistant Deputy Chief Kaitlin Sahni and Trial Attorneys Kate Naseef and Kirk Handrich of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance.
The Justice Department thanks Uruguayan authorities for their assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Gonzalez-Valencia.
21:959(a), 960, and 963, and Title 18, United States Code Section 2; CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE - IMPORTATION/EXPORTATION; Conspiracy to Distribute 5 Kilograms or more of Cocaine, and 500 Grams or more of Methamphetamine, for Importation into the United States.
Outcome: 12/22/2022 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell: Plea Hearing as to GERARDO GONZALEZ-VALENCIA held on 12/22/2022. Defendant sworn, plea of guilty entered by GERARDO GONZALEZ-VALENCIA to Count 1 of the Indictment; case referred to the Probation Officer for presentence investigation; Sentencing Hearing scheduled for 4/6/2023, at 9:30 AM in Courtroom 22A- In Person before Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell; oral motion by counsel for the government to dismiss the methamphetamine portion of the Count on Count 1, granted; Scheduling Order forthcoming. Bond Status of Defendant: Defendant committed/commitment issued. Present: Defense Attorney: Stephen A. Best, Rachel O. Wolkinson, and Geoffrey Coll; US Attorney: Kaitlin J. Sahni and Kirk K. Handrich; Interpreter: Teresa Salazar. Court Reporter: Elizabeth Saint-Loth. (ztg) (Entered: 12/22/2022)
12/22/2022 MINUTE ORDER (paperless), as to GERARDO GONZALEZ-VALENCIA, ISSUING the following SCHEDULING ORDER for the sentencing hearing, scheduled for April 6, 2023:
(1) By March 6, 2023, the government shall produce to defendants any evidence relevant to issues raised at sentencing; and
(2) By March 23, 2023, the parties shall file with the Court a list of any witness anticipated to testify at sentencing, along with a summary of each witness's prospective testimony.
Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on December 22, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 12/22/2022)
12/22/2022 Set/Reset Deadlines as to GERARDO GONZALEZ-VALENCIA: Government's response to Order of the Court due by 3/6/2023; parties' response to Order of the Court due by 3/23/2023. (ztg) (Entered: 12/22/2022)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: