Home / Crime and Justice / Music Exec Granted Bond Pending Appeal of Cartel Convictions
Music Exec Granted Bond Pending Appeal of Cartel Convictions
17 Nov
Summary
- Music executive Ángel Del Villar granted bond during appeal of cartel-ties convictions
- Del Villar built label into powerhouse for regional Mexican music
- Convicted of violating Kingpin law, sentenced to 4 years in prison
In a significant development, music executive Ángel Del Villar has been granted bond while he appeals his convictions for doing business with Mexican drug cartels. Del Villar, who founded the successful Del Records label, was scheduled to begin serving a 4-year prison sentence on December 1st, 2025. However, a federal judge has now allowed him to remain free on bond during the appellate process, which can take over a year to resolve.
The judge sided with Del Villar's attorneys, who argued that his appeal raises "sufficiently arguable points" about the jury instructions, particularly regarding the "deliberate ignorance" instruction. The judge acknowledged that while she did not see any error in her own rulings or instructions, the question of the deliberate ignorance instruction is "fairly debatable" and could potentially persuade an appellate court.
