El Chapo ‘had sex with minors’, trial witness claims
Drug lord referred to young girls as ‘vitamins’, according to court documents
Unsealed court documents from the ongoing trial against Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman include claims by co-operating witnesses that he had sex with underage girls he referred to as “vitamins”.
CNN reports that one witness “told investigators that around 2007 he helped Guzman drug girls as young as 13 by placing a ‘powdery substance’ in their drinks before the defendant had sex with them”.
The documents had been sealed as they were deemed to be prejudicial and irrelevant to the charges Guzman is facing, which relate to drug trafficking and money laundering.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
According to the witnesses, an associate of El Chapo known as “Commadre Maria” would procure the girls, sometimes as young as 13, who would be delivered to one of Guzman’s ranches for about £3,800.
The New York Times reports that Guzman was also accused of “sexually assaulted a cooperating witness in the case before beginning a romantic relationship with her and drawing her into his criminal enterprise”.
Guzman’s lawyer said he denies the “extremely salacious” accusations, adding: “It is unfortunate that the material was publicly released just prior to the jury beginning deliberations”. The defence could move for a mistrial when court reconvenes today on the grounds that the release of information not disclosed in court could taint the jury, says The Guardian.
The 61-year-old is currently facing 10 federal counts, including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to launder narcotics proceeds and international distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other drugs.
Guzman has pleaded not guilty. He faces life in prison in the US if found guilty.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Is the Gaza war tearing US university campuses apart?
Today's Big Question Protests at Columbia University, other institutions, pit free speech against student safety
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
DOJ settles with Nassar victims for $138M
Speed Read The settlement includes 139 sexual abuse victims of the former USA Gymnastics doctor
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published