KENTUCKY — A Mexican national pleaded guilty Friday to participating in a conspiracy that laundered more than $1.9 million in drug trafficking proceeds collected across the United States and transferred to Mexico through cryptocurrency and wire transfers.
According to federal court documents, Daniel Gordiano Valenzuela, 60, who was living in Mexico when he was arrested, served as a money broker for an organization that laundered drug proceeds for traffickers operating in Mexico.
Quick Facts
- Defendant: Daniel Gordiano Valenzuela, 60
- Residence at Arrest: Mexico
- Charge: Conspiracy to commit money laundering
- Amount Laundered: $1,973,076
- Method: Bulk cash collected in the U.S. and transferred through cryptocurrency and wire transfers
- Role: Money broker coordinating the laundering network
- Sentencing Date: Nov. 19
- Maximum Penalty: 20 years in federal prison
Prosecutors said Gordiano Valenzuela arranged the laundering of $1,973,076 generated from illegal drug sales. He directed a network of co-conspirators to collect bulk cash from locations throughout the United States. After the money was delivered, he instructed others to transfer the funds to Mexico through cryptocurrency transactions or wire transfers.
In exchange, Gordiano Valenzuela received a commission based on the amount of money successfully laundered.
He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Gordiano Valenzuela is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 19. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, although the final sentence will be determined by a federal judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.