By Jesus Garcia
26 Jul 2024, 12:37 PM EDT
Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada refused to attend the hearing in the Western District Court of Texas, but through his legal representation he learned of the accusations against him and pleaded “not guilty.”
This is revealed by court documents to which this newspaper had access, which also indicate that the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, arrested on July 25, signed documents in which he accepts the conditions of the legal process he faces, as well as financial statements.
“The defendant wishes to waive his personal appearance at the arraignment and enters a plea of ‘not guilty,’” said a document signed by Judge Anne Benton.
The judge specified that Zambada García obtained a copy of the charges against him, in addition to confirming that said document was read to him.
The accused “understands that… he has the right to appear at the hearing of charges,” said the judge, who clarified that “El Mayo” decided not to attend said hearing.
“The Court ACCEPTS the waiver and reports the plea of NOT GUILTY submitted by the defendant,” Judge Benton’s document states.