Home / Crime and Justice / Music Exec Fights Felony Convictions, Seeks Freedom Pending Appeal
Music Exec Fights Felony Convictions, Seeks Freedom Pending Appeal
16 Oct
Summary
- Music exec Del Villar convicted of doing business with cartel-linked promoter
- Sentenced to 4 years in prison, but seeks to remain free during appeal
- Argues judge's instructions to jury were flawed, could overturn convictions
In March 2025, music executive Ángel Del Villar was convicted of violating the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act by repeatedly arranging concerts with a Guadalajara-based promoter with cartel ties. Del Villar, who built his Del Records into a top label for regional Mexican music, was sentenced to 48 months in prison in August 2025.
Now, with his prison sentence set to begin on December 1, 2025, Del Villar's attorneys are asking the judge to allow him to remain free during the appeals process. They argue that Del Villar's appeal could very well overturn the convictions, and that he poses no flight risk or danger to the community.
The lawyers say they have a particularly strong argument regarding how the judge instructed the jury, claiming the judge gave them the option to convict Del Villar even without proof that he took concrete actions to avoid knowing about the promoter's shady connections. They believe this instruction was flawed and could lead to a new trial if the appeal is successful.
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Del Records, founded by Del Villar in 2008, was home to popular artists like Eslabon Armado and Lenin Ramirez. But in 2022, Del Villar, his CFO, and the label itself were charged under the Kingpin Act for allegedly doing business with the sanctioned promoter.
