A Mexican national, Marcos Monarrez-Mendoza, residing illegally in Phoenix, Arizona, has pleaded guilty to charges of violating the federal “Kingpin” statute and money laundering. The plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti on July 7, 2025.
Monarrez-Mendoza, aged 55, admitted guilt before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. He was one of 35 individuals charged in a Second Superseding Indictment unsealed in January 2024. The indictment involved a narcotics and money laundering conspiracy dealing with large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
The court was informed that from September to November 2022, Monarrez-Mendoza co-led the Phoenix-based Monarrez Drug Trafficking Organization with his son Marcos Monarrez Jr. During this period, he was intercepted via federal wiretap acquiring significant amounts of drugs from a Mexican supplier. These drugs were distributed across the country by subordinate distributors, reaching areas including western Pennsylvania. Additionally, Monarrez-Mendoza facilitated the transfer of over $100,000 in drug proceeds to couriers who smuggled the funds into Mexico.
Judge Ranjan has scheduled sentencing for December 5, 2025. The potential sentence includes a minimum of 20 years up to life imprisonment and a fine up to $2 million. Sentencing will consider the seriousness of offenses and any prior criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorneys Arnold P. Bernard Jr. and Tonya S. Goodman are handling prosecution for this case.
The investigation leading to Monarrez-Mendoza’s prosecution was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America—an initiative aiming at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations while combating illegal immigration and violent crime through coordinated efforts under the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
