Bavispe massacre families appeal for seizure of CJNG-linked assets

Families of the victims of the 2019 Bavispe massacre in Sonora, Mexico, have appealed a federal court decision regarding the seizure of luxury assets in California. The families, including the LeBarón, Langford, Miller, Johnson, and Ray families, are seeking to claim a Riverside residence and other assets seized from Cristian Fernando Gutiérrez Ochoa, the son-in-law of CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, ‘El Mencho’.

The assets, valued at approximately $3.5 million, were seized following Gutiérrez Ochoa’s arrest for international money laundering. The families aim to use these funds to satisfy a court-ordered indemnity against the Juárez Cartel, which they hold responsible for the Bavispe killings that claimed the lives of three women and six children.

Judge Beryl A. Howell previously denied the request, noting that the U.S. government opposes the transfer because the CJNG is a distinct organization from the Juárez Cartel. While the families argue that the two groups have operated in alliance, the court ruled that a commercial relationship between the cartels does not sufficiently establish the CJNG as an agent of the Juárez Cartel for the purpose of asset seizure.