A Mexican federal judge sentenced Daniel Arizmendi López, known as “El Mochaorejas,” to 50 years for organized crime, money laundering and illegal firearms possession in a case dating to 1998.
A Mexican federal judge sentenced Daniel Arizmendi López, known as “El Mochaorejas,” to 50 years in prison in a case that began in 1998. Federal prosecutors announced the ruling November 8, more than two decades after a court ordered the proceedings redone. The judge also fined Arizmendi 916,312.50 pesos. www.fgr.org.mx
Arizmendi led a kidnapping gang known as Los Arizmendi that operated mainly in the State of Mexico and what was then the Federal District, now Mexico City. His nickname, “El Mochaorejas,” roughly translates to “the ear chopper.” It refers to the gang’s practice of cutting off the ears of some victims to pressure their families into paying ransom.
The new sentence covers three offenses: organized crime, money laundering and possession of firearms reserved for the armed forces. Federal prosecutors did not list kidnapping among the offenses covered by the 50-year sentence.
The judge also sentenced Daniel Vanegas Martínez to 22 years in prison and fined him more than 4 million pesos. Dulce Paz Vanegas Martínez received 16 years and a fine of more than 280,000 pesos. Both were convicted of organized crime and money laundering. The court deemed their prison terms in this case already served, but prosecutors said both would remain in custody because they face other criminal proceedings.
Federal prosecutors brought the case in June 1998, and a judge first convicted the three defendants on August 21, 2003. The defendants obtained relief through amparo, a Mexican procedure for challenging government or court actions on constitutional grounds. The courts ordered the proceedings redone. Federal prosecutors in the State of Mexico presented evidence in the renewed proceedings, and the court notified the defendants of the new sentences in the days before the November 8 announcement.
The announcement did not say how much time Arizmendi has left to serve. Prosecutors did not explain how his time already in custody will count toward the 50-year term or whether further appeals are available.
