Dual U.S.-Mexican citizen arrested for violations of the Kingpin Act
Defendant alleged to have prohibited financial transactions related to drug cartel
WASHINGTON – A dual U.S.-Mexican citizen had her initial appearance in federal court in the District of Columbia Wednesday on charges related to her alleged involvement in five business entities designated by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) as providing material support to the international narcotics trafficking activities of the Mexican narcotics trafficking organization known as the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG).
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge William Bodner of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Los Angeles Field Division made the announcement.
Jessica Johanna Oseguera Gonzalez, known as “La Negra,” 33, who was residing in Guadalajara, Mexico, was arrested in Washington, D.C. Wednesday pursuant to a warrant stemming from a February 13, 2020, indictment. The charges were unsealed earlier today and she remains in U.S. custody. Her detention hearing is on Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robin M. Meriweather in the District of Columbia.
The five-count indictment alleges that Oseguera Gonzalez engaged in transactions or dealings in property or interests in property with five business entities, which have been designated by OFAC as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. The businesses are alleged to provide financial support to, and are subject to the control of, the CJNG. As a result, U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
The indictment alleges that Oseguera Gonzalez continued her involvement with J&P Advertising S.A. de C.V., JJGON S.P.R. de R.L. de C.V., Las Flores Cabanas, Mizu Sushi Lounge and Operadora Los Famosas S.A. de C.V. and Onze Black, after their designations by OFAC on September 17, 2015.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division led the investigation in conjunction with the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control. Assistant Deputy Chief Anthony Nardozzi, and Trial Attorneys Brett Reynolds, Kaitlin Sahni and Cole Radovich of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the case.
