Jose Jesus Mendez Vargas, alias “El Chango,” was a leading figure in the Familia Michoacana and considered to be the right hand man of the head of the Familia council Nazario Moreno, alias “El Mas Loco,” or “El Chayo.” El Chango was arrested June 21, 2011.
History
Believed to be a former operative for the Gulf Cartel, El Chango coordinated the Familia Michoacana’s methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking. His security detail was known as the “Twelve Apostles,” another nod to the Familia Michoacana’s twisted religious ideology. Recruits to the Familia reportedly had to study El Chango’s teachings, which include interpretations of Biblical stories, as an initiation ritual.
El Chango FactboxDOB: February 28, 1974 Group: Familia Michoacana Criminal Activities: Methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking, extortion, kidnapping Status: Captured Area of Operation: Michoacan, Mexico |
The Mexican government had offered a 30 million peso reward (about $2.3 million) reward for his capture, alongside a 2 million peso reward (about $160,000) for intelligence about his whereabouts. He had previously been targeted by the Zetas in assassination attempts, allegedly for trying to create a Familia cell in Mexico City in 2008.
In June 2011, Mexican federal police arrested El Chango in the central state of Aguascalientes. His arrest led authorities to state the last remaining elements of Familia Michoacana’s command structure had been destroyed.
Criminal Activities
Prior to his arrest, El Chango was in charge of methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking for Familia Michoacana. El Chango is also reportedly accused by Mexican authorities of committing kidnapping and extortion.
Geography
The Familia Michoacana originated in Michoacan, which would continue to be its base of operations. However, the group would eventually expand into nearby regions, including Mexico state.
Allies and Enemies
Following the death of El Chayo in December 2010, El Chango began feuding with Servando Gomez Martinez, alias “La Tuta.” El Chango remained with the Familia’s old guard, while La Tuta formed his own faction, dubbed the Caballeros Templarios (Knights Templar), in March 2011. The two rival cells battled fiercely in Michoacan, reportedly causing El Chango to seek aid from the Familia’s former bitter rivals, the Zetas.
Prospects
In April 2014, a Mexican court rejected El Chango’s appeal for an “amparo” — which is similar to an injunction — that would stall his extradition to the United States. El Chango is wanted by the Southern District of New York on charges of methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking.