Latin Music Manager Sentenced to Prison
Introduction to the Case
Latin music manager Ángel del Villar, founder of the renowned Mexican music label Del Records, has been sentenced to four years in prison. This conviction comes after del Villar was found guilty of conducting business with a well-known drug dealer, in violation of the Kingpin Act. The Kingpin Act prohibits residents of the United States from working with known drug dealers.
Background on Del Records
Del Records was founded by del Villar in 2008 and has been home to many successful Mexican music acts, including Gerardo Ortiz and the latest sensation, Eslabon Armado. Eslabon Armado’s global hit "Ella Baila Sola" with Peso Pluma was one of the biggest songs of 2023, highlighting the label’s influence in the music industry.
The Conviction and Sentence
After his conviction in March, del Villar faced a maximum punishment of 30 years in prison. However, he was sentenced to four years, which he is expected to serve starting December 1st in a federal correction institution. In addition to his prison sentence, del Villar was also instructed to pay a fine of $2 million.
Accusations and Testimonies
The accusations against del Villar and Del Records began in June 2022. The prosecution claimed that del Villar had repeatedly organized concerts with Jesus Pérez Alvear, a promoter with connections to Mexican cartels. Pérez Alvear was accused of supporting cartels in their exploitation of the regional Mexican music industry. During the trial, Gerardo Ortiz testified against del Villar, stating that he had seen Pérez Alvear at the Del Records offices and had even performed at one of the promoter’s concerts. After weeks of deliberation, del Villar was found guilty in 10 cases.
Reaction and Next Steps
Representatives of del Villar and Del Records did not immediately return requests for comment. The sentencing of del Villar to four years in prison marks a significant development in the case, highlighting the serious consequences of violating the Kingpin Act and the importance of the music industry’s integrity.
