Son of 'El Chapo' confesses to drug trafficking and kidnapping in federal court

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Dramatic moments unfolded in a Chicago federal courtroom after a major plea deal with a notorious drug kingpin of the Sinaloa cartel was announced. One of the sons of "El Chapo," Joaquin Guzman Lopez, pleaded guilty to two of the major charges against him.

Guzman Lopez admitted to drug trafficking conspiracy and engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, namely running the notorious and ruthless Sinaloa cartel. During the hearing he also admitted to an extraordinary kidnapping plot and promised to cooperate with the government for a lighter sentence.

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Shackled at the ankles and surrounded by federal marshals, Guzman Lopez, admitted to masterminding the importation and distributions of massive amounts of illegal drugs, and operating the Sinaloa cartel along with his brother and others.

When asked by the judge what his job was for the past five years, he replied "drug trafficker" to chuckles from the courtroom and the judge herself, seemingly surprised at his candor.

The sentencing guidelines for the crimes advise life in prison, but with Guzman's guilty plea and cooperation, his attorney Jeffrey Lichtman said, "My expectation is the government will make a motion for reduction of sentencing guidelines."

Lichtman said he believes the sentence will be lower than life. In court, the government agreed and said Guzman Lopez could spend as little as 10 years in federal prison. Ultimately, sentencing is up to the judge.

"She takes all the recommendations, she listens, and she makes up her own decision because that's why she's the judge and why none of us are the judge because she's not partisan," said Lichtman.

"I think we've got to send a bigger message, and I would hope we'd be able to do that," said Jack Riley, retired head of the Chicago DEA.

Riley told the I-Team a possible 10 years in prison for Guzman Lopez isn't enough.

"In any criminal organization that's operating in foreign countries, communication is crucial. How do they communicate with their surrogates in Chicago and around the U.S.? And the minute that he was arrested, those systems went dark and were regenerated with information that we don't know about," said Riley. "I'm not saying he's not going to give us something. If he fully cooperates, but it's going to be historical."

Also detailed in the plea agreement, the audacious kidnapping of Individual A, reportedly Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. In the plea agreement, it was stipulated that Guzman Lopez lured him to a meeting, removing a floor to ceiling window before armed men working for Guzman Lopez entered through the window and abducted the man, placing handcuffs on him and a bag over his head, before driving him to an air strip to a small plane.

The government went on the record to say that abduction was not at their request and Guzman Lopez agreed he would get no credit for cooperation for it.

When Guzman Lopez was questioned by the judge, he said he is taking medication for a thyroid issue, high blood pressure, and anxiety. His next status hearing is in June.