A $15 million bounty was once offered for their uncle; until his death in February, he was considered one of Mexico’s most feared drug traffickers. They, however, have built lives moving in the opposite direction: they reside in California and work for government agencies. They represent the other side of the Oseguera family—the side that grew up on the fringes, away from the trail of destruction left by their notorious relative, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes—known as “El Mencho”—who was the kingpin of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
El Mencho’s nieces first stepped into the public eye to offer support to the capo’s daughter, Jessica Johanna Oseguera González, while she was incarcerated in Washington, D.C., for managing several businesses that, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, laundered money generated by drug sales.
This drug lord’s eldest daughter led a double life: she traveled to tourist destinations across the U.S., spent time with her relatives, and posed as a legitimately successful businesswoman; yet, in secret, she leveraged the cartel’s resources, oversaw its illicit financial records, and met with her mobster father. One such meeting took place at a set of cabins in Jalisco where—according to the government’s account—the former CJNG boss was wounded by gunfire during a clash with security forces. He would lose his life while being transported to a maximum-security prison in central Mexico.
Despite the details authorities revealed about Jessica Johanna, four of her cousins wrote letters to the judge presiding over her criminal case. In these letters, they described her as an exemplary woman—an emotional pillar who visited them frequently in California, and a devoted mother deeply concerned with raising her children well. They advocated on behalf of “La Negra”—as she has been nicknamed since childhood—even at the risk of exposing the government agencies where they were employed: the San Francisco Unified School District, a public school in Hemet, and a hospital in Riverside County.
“We grew up together; we were always living under the same roof and looking out for one another. She has always been someone who strives to achieve more in life,” wrote Arlette Oseguera in her letter. Oseguera serves as an administrative assistant at the Hilltop School for Teen Mothers, which is part of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). “I lived with her for some time in Mexico… She always made sure that I didn’t lose focus on my goals and that I kept striving.”
Arlette Oseguera has been on the SFUSD payroll since 2008, when she joined as a security guard. She worked her way up the ranks to become an administrative employee, earning an annual salary of over $80,000, according to public records. The primary mission of the Hilltop School—where she works—is to help pregnant teenagers complete their high school education by providing childcare and other services while the students focus on their studies.
In a one-page written statement, Arlette affirmed that she remained in contact with “La Negra”—whose father was, at the time, one of the world’s most wanted drug lords. “When she comes to California, she always gives us advance notice so we can get together. We usually have family barbecues and enjoy each other’s company; we also make sure our children meet and build the same kind of bond that we share,” the letter reads.
Another niece of “El Mencho”—Melissa Ruiz Oseguera—has worked as a security guard at the Tenderloin Public Elementary School in San Francisco since 2013. Among the anecdotes regarding
“La Negra” recounted in the letter are visits to Disneyland in Anaheim, childhood memories, frequent get-togethers, and a trip to Mexico.
“I’ve known her my whole life. She is my older cousin, and she always looked out for me. I remember that when we were little girls, we were always at each other’s houses—playing and having sleepovers… I remember visiting her in Mexico during the summer, and she always made sure we had a wonderful time,” she recounted.
