Singer Gerardo Ortiz Pleads Guilty in Drug Cartel Case

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Grammy-nominated singer Gerardo Ortiz has pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to his performance at concerts linked to a Mexican drug cartel. This admission was revealed during the trial of Angel Del Villar, CEO of Del Records, which began on March 17, 2025.

Ortiz, 35, confessed to singing at six concerts organized by promoter Jesus ‘Chucho’ Pérez Alvear, who was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2018 for supposedly laundering money for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Ortiz claimed he felt pressured by Del Villar to continue performing, even after the FBI warned him against it.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Schwab disclosed that Ortiz’s guilty plea is part of a broader investigation into Del Villar. Ortiz is expected to testify against his former representative, detailing his interactions with federal agents and the circumstances around his performances for Pérez.

Throughout the trial, Ortiz’s relationship with Del Villar has come under scrutiny. While the defense claims Del Villar was misled by former company vice president Brian Gutierrez, prosecutors emphasize Ortiz’s willingness to perform despite legal advisories. Del Villar reportedly encouraged him to defy the FBI’s warnings.

The allegations against Del Villar include violating the Kingpin Act, which prohibits American citizens and businesses from conducting transactions with designated narcotics traffickers. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison.

The defense argues that Gutierrez, who initiated contact with the FBI, is a dubious witness motivated by self-interest. Del Villar’s attorney, Marissa Goldberg, contends that Gutierrez’s actions were part of a manipulative scheme against the company.

The implications of this case extend far beyond the courtroom, raising significant questions about the music industry’s connections to organized crime. As the trial progresses, attention remains focused on how Ortiz’s testimony will influence the jury’s perception of Del Villar’s innocence or guilt.

Before his departure from Del Records in 2019, Ortiz was one of the label’s most prominent artists, gaining fame with songs that often celebrated the drug trade. His post-label challenges included his federal interactions, which were kept confidential until now.

As the legal proceedings continue, the trial highlights the precarious intersection of entertainment and illicit activities, with the potential for lasting repercussions within the genre of música Mexicana and its associations with drug trafficking.