Mexican Federal Judge Candidate in Durango Served 5 Years in US Federal Prison for Trafficking Meth

"Socalj" for Borderland Beat
From a La Silla Rota Article

Leopoldo Javier Chávez Vargas, candidate for district judge for Durango, has been accused of allegedly having been imprisoned in the United States for crimes related to drug trafficking for over 5 years.

According to US court documents cited by journalist Miguel Alfonso Meza, the now candidate was detained on November 13, 2015, at the Lincoln Juárez International Bridge, while traveling on a passenger bus.

 

During an inspection, authorities discovered a fire extinguisher hidden under his seat, inside which was a suspicious package of methamphetamine  according to the documents.

He was charged with three federal counts: conspiracy to import methamphetamine, importation of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute. In his statement, Chávez Vargas said he didn't know the contents of the cylinder inside the fire extinguisher, which he was transporting with the intention of taking to Dallas, Texas.

His name appears in the official registry of the United States Bureau of Prisons under number 99757-379, information verified by this outlet. According to the BOP, Chávez Vargas was released on June 7, 2021, after allegedly spending nearly six years in federal custody.

He served a sentence of five years and seven months.

It should be noted that his resume does not list any work experience prior to 2020. He is currently a legal advisor to the Nuevo Ideal City Council in Durango.

His nomination to the Judiciary was approved by the Legislative Branch Committee. One of his goals as a candidate is to "contribute to a judicial system that inspires confidence and combats impunity."

La Silla Rota attempted to contact Leopoldo Javier Chávez Vargas through the number 6181165662 and other means, but received no response.

Who is Leopoldo Javier Chávez Vargas?

According to his profile published on the National Electoral Institute (INE) website, he seeks to become a judge to "guarantee equal access to justice for all, with impartiality, legality, and commitment . "

He holds a law degree from the Bilingual University Institute of the State of Durango and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Oral Trials. He also holds a diploma in Amparo Trials and is participating in a seminar on corporate protection.

Since 2021, he has worked as a legal advisor in the municipality of Nuevo Ideal, where he provides legal support, contract review, and regulatory advice. He also works as a legal interpreter in United States courts, where he translates documents and participates in judicial proceedings.

In 2023, he served as a financial advisor to the Gubernatorial Debate Commission of the Electoral Institute of Coahuila. From 2020 to 2023, he served as treasurer of an agricultural company, with responsibilities in financial management and tax compliance. He is fluent in English and his background includes experience in the public, private, and judicial sectors.

Debate on “Narco-Candidates”

Mexico's first popular election for the judiciary, scheduled for June 1, 2025, has been marked by controversy. 81 positions will be elected, including vacancies on the Supreme Court, the Electoral Tribunal, and the new Judicial Disciplinary Tribunal.

The controversy arose after Senate President Gerardo Fernández Noroña warned about the nomination of at least 20 candidates with questionable backgrounds, including alleged ties to drug trafficking or histories as legal defenders of drug lords. According to the legislator, these profiles do not meet the probity requirement.

The Senate announced that it will file challenges before the Federal Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch (TEPJF). Fernández Noroña asserted that this is not a personal veto, but rather a means of ensuring that those who access judicial positions are qualified.

The National Electoral Institute (INE) clarified that it is not responsible for deciding on the eligibility of candidates, but rather for the Senate and the TEPJF. President Claudia Sheinbaum also asked the court to invalidate candidates with alleged criminal ties .

The civil organization Defensorxs documented at least 13 candidates with a history of organized crime , sexual violence, or membership in political-religious sects. One of the most notorious cases is that of Silvia Rocío Delgado, former lawyer for Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.

Various voices, from international organizations to sitting judges and civil society organizations, have warned about the risk of organized crime or political interests infiltrating the judicial system, which could compromise the independence of this unprecedented reform.

Source La Silla Rota

Categories: sonora