Julio César Chávez Jr. Arrested: Boxer Faces Deportation and Organized Crime Allegations

Former boxing champion Julio César Chávez Jr. was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles,California,and now faces deportation to Mexico where he is wanted on organized crime charges [[1]]. The arrest occurred just days after Chávez Jr.’s recent fight against Jake Paul,adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

Details of the Arrest and Allegations

Chávez Jr.,39,was taken into custody on Wednesday in Studio City,Los Angeles,while riding a scooter,according to his attorney,Michael Goldstein. Goldstein described the arrest as excessive, stating, “The current allegations are outrageous and simply another headline to terrorize the community.” [[2]]

The Department of homeland Security (DHS) stated that Chávez Jr. overstayed his tourist visa, which expired in Febuary 2024, after he entered the U.S. in August 2023. Furthermore, the agency alleges that he made multiple false statements on his application for permanent residency based on his marriage to a U.S.citizen, Frida Muñoz, who is the mother of a granddaughter of the infamous Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

Did You Know? The Sinaloa cartel is considered one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world, responsible for a significant portion of the drug-related violence in Mexico [[U.S.department of Justice]].

Mexican Arrest Warrant and Extradition Proceedings

Mexico’s Attorney-General’s Office confirmed that an arrest warrant for “Julio C” was issued in March 2023, related to investigations into organized crime and arms trafficking.Mexican authorities have initiated extradition proceedings to bring Chávez Jr. back to Mexico to face these charges [[3]].

A federal agent, speaking anonymously, confirmed that “Julio C” is indeed Julio César Chávez Jr. The agent did not provide an explanation as to why Chávez Jr. was not arrested earlier, despite traveling between the U.S. and Mexico multiple times.

Past Legal Issues

This is not chávez Jr.’s first brush with the law. In 2012, he was convicted of drunk driving in Los Angeles and sentenced to 13 days in jail. In January 2024, he was arrested on gun charges for possessing two AR-style “ghost rifles.” He was released on a $50,000 bond and ordered to attend a residential drug treatment facility. That case remains pending.

Pro Tip: “Ghost rifles” are firearms that lack serial numbers, making them difficult to trace and often associated with illegal activities.

Boxing Career Highlights

Julio César Chávez Jr. comes from a prominent boxing family. His father, Julio César Chávez Sr., is considered one of the greatest mexican boxers of all time. Chávez Jr. himself won the WBC middleweight title in 2011 and defended it three times. He has faced notable opponents such as Canelo Álvarez and Sergio Martinez, though he lost both fights. Most recently, he lost to Jake Paul on june 29.

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