Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Arrested by ICE for Alleged Ties to Organized Crime

Chavez Jr's recent defeat in the ring precedes a legal battle fueled by serious criminal allegations and immigration violations.

Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., 39, has been arrested by U.S. immigration agents and is set for deportation to Mexico due to an active arrest warrant related to organized crime involvement, including connections to the notorious Sinaloa cartel. His arrest comes shortly after losing a match against influencer boxer Jake Paul in California.

Chavez Jr. was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Studio City, Los Angeles, on Thursday. A statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described him as a “prominent Mexican boxer and criminal illegal alien,” indicating that he is undergoing expedited removal processing.

The DHS claims Chavez Jr. has an active warrant in Mexico tied to serious charges, including organized crime, trafficking firearms, and possessing explosives. His alleged cartel ties are particularly connected to his marriage to a U.S. citizen linked to the Sinaloa Cartel through a former relationship with the infamous leader Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzman’s son.

Chavez Jr. has a history of legal issues in the U.S., spanning various offenses, many of which pertain to weapon violations. His past includes a January 2024 arrest for illegal possession of an assault weapon and a separate arrest warrant from 2023 for trafficking weapons tied to a criminal organization. Additionally, he has faced DUI charges and immigration-related issues, including overstaying a tourist visa that expired in February.

Chavez Jr.'s legal team has dismissed the allegations, stating that the claims deprive the Latin community of peace of mind. Attorney Michael Goldstein expressed shock at the accusations, branding them as outrageous. In the weeks preceding his arrest, Chavez Jr. voiced concerns over increasing immigration raids in Los Angeles, stating that even his trainer felt unsafe coming to work due to fear of deportation.

Chavez Jr. comes from a celebrated boxing lineage, as the son of boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., who is often lauded as Mexico’s greatest boxer. His unexpected fall from grace and the circumstances of his arrest have raised several questions about the intersection of celebrity status, immigration law, and alleged organized crime.