Chavez Jr., the son of legendary boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., was taken into custody shortly after his fight with Jake Paul and is now facing expedited deportation amid serious criminal allegations, including organized crime involvement.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Faces Deportation After Arrest Tied to Allegations of Organized Crime
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Faces Deportation After Arrest Tied to Allegations of Organized Crime
The renowned boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has been apprehended by U.S. immigration officials due to alleged ties with the Sinaloa drug cartel and an active arrest warrant in Mexico.
Famed Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., age 39, has been arrested by U.S. immigration agents and is now facing deportation to Mexico, where he has "an active arrest warrant for his involvement in organized crime," according to officials. The arrest occurred in Studio City, Los Angeles, just days after Chavez Jr. was defeated by influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a match held in nearby Anaheim.
U.S. authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), assert that Chavez Jr. is linked to the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel. His legal representative has strongly denied these allegations. "Under President Trump, no one is above the law - including world-famous athletes," stated a DHS spokeswoman following the arrest.
The DHS stated that Chavez Jr. is being processed for "expedited removal" and identified him as a "prominent Mexican boxer and criminal illegal alien." The arrest warrant issued in Mexico alleges his involvement in organized crime and trafficking in firearms, ammunition, and explosives. According to U.S. officials, Chavez Jr. sought U.S. permanent residency last year through a marriage to a U.S. citizen previously connected to the Sinaloa Cartel.
Chavez Jr. has a history of legal issues in the U.S., including arrests for weapons-related offenses. He was convicted earlier in 2024 for illegal possession of an assault weapon and had an arrest warrant issued for alleged trafficking firearms for a criminal organization in 2023. His previous encounters with the law include driving under the influence and making fraudulent statements to immigration authorities.
Chavez Jr.'s attorney, Michael Goldstein, condemned the arrest as a “headline to terrorize the Latin community,” and expressed disbelief over the cartel allegations. Just weeks before his fight against Paul, Chavez Jr. expressed fear over increased immigration raids in Los Angeles, echoing concerns over the impact of U.S. immigration policies on the Latino population.
Reflecting on his sentiments as a Mexican national, Chavez Jr. asserted, "I'm from Sinaloa, where things are really ugly... Trump attacking immigrants, Latinos, for no reason." With his future uncertain, he stated, "I wouldn't want to be deported."
