Juan Carlos Mesa Vallejo, alias Tom, granted conditional release

Juan Carlos Mesa Vallejo, a criminal leader known as alias Tom or Carlos Chata, is set to be released from La Picota prison in Bogotá under conditional liberty. A court of execution of sentences granted the release after determining that Mesa Vallejo has completed 93.7% of his 13-year prison sentence.

Mesa Vallejo was convicted of conspiracy to commit a crime, material forgery of a public document, and illegal possession of weapons. His release includes a probationary period of 10 months and two days. The National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (Inpec) has been notified to process his exit, which is expected to occur between November 6 and November 7.

Identified as a primary leader of the Los Chatas organization and a key figure in the La Oficina criminal structure, Mesa Vallejo has significant influence in the Aburrá Valley. He was captured in December 2017 in El Peñol, Antioquia. He previously appeared on the United States Clinton List due to alleged links to drug trafficking and participated as a spokesperson for criminal structures during urban peace dialogues in Antioquia.