Afternoon Briefing: ‘El Chapo’ son in plea negotiations in Chicago

Good afternoon, Chicago.

One of the sons of former Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has begun plea negotiations with federal prosecutors in Chicago on sweeping narcotics trafficking charges alleging they took over day-to-day operations of the cartel after their father’s arrest.

The development in the case against Ovidio Guzmán López, 34, was revealed during a brief status hearing before U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman, the first since Lopez’s brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, was arrested in dramatic fashion in July.

It’s the first indication that either brother was looking to cut a deal, and could have big implications for Sinaloa co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who is facing a related indictment in New York.

Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.

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