Co-Founder of Cartel Jalisco Terror Group Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges

Erick 'El 85' Valencia Salazar faces minimum 10-year sentence for federal drug conspiracy

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:26am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crushed and charred cell phone, conceptually representing the ruthless methods used by the CJNG cartel to maintain control over the drug trade.A stark, gritty image captures the violent legacy of the CJNG cartel, whose co-founder now faces sentencing for his role in the organization's drug trafficking and terror tactics.Santa Clara Today

A California man who was the co-founder of the powerful and violent Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) drug cartel has pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges in a U.S. court. Erick 'El 85' Valencia Salazar, 49, faces a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a maximum of life for his role in the cartel's operations.

Why it matters

CJNG is considered one of Mexico's most dangerous and ruthless drug cartels, known for its use of thousands of gunmen, explosives, and even cannibalism as part of its terror tactics to maintain control over the drug trade. Valencia's plea deal and upcoming sentencing is a significant blow to the cartel's leadership and operations.

The details

Valencia pleaded guilty to one drug conspiracy charge, with federal prosecutors agreeing to dismiss various other charges that had been filed against him. His plea comes just weeks after Mexican forces, in a U.S.-led operation, killed CJNG's co-founder and supreme leader, Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, along with two other top leaders. Valencia and his relatives had previously worked with other cartels before founding the Milenio Cartel, which later became CJNG under El Mencho's leadership.

  • Valencia pleaded guilty this week in a U.S. federal court.
  • He is expected to be sentenced on July 31, 2026.

The players

Erick 'El 85' Valencia Salazar

A 49-year-old California man who was the co-founder of the Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) drug cartel.

Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes

The co-founder and supreme leader of CJNG, who was recently killed in a U.S.-led operation.

Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG)

One of Mexico's most powerful and violent drug cartels, known for its use of thousands of gunmen, explosives, and even cannibalism as part of its terror tactics.

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What they’re saying

“CJNG has been linked to numerous cartel killing fields where its victims were not only incinerated, but in some cases, in Mexico, and videos shared on social media show CJNG members eating the flesh of their rivals and victims as a show of dominance.”

— Ildefonso Ortiz, Award-winning journalist with Breitbart News Foundation

What’s next

Valencia is expected to be sentenced on July 31, 2026, where he faces a minimum 10-year term and a maximum of life in prison.

The takeaway

The guilty plea and upcoming sentencing of CJNG co-founder Erick 'El 85' Valencia Salazar is a significant blow to the leadership and operations of one of Mexico's most dangerous and ruthless drug cartels, known for its extreme violence and use of terror tactics.