Erick Valencia Salazar, better known as 'El 85,' pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Washington to conspiring to distribute cocaine for unlawful importation into the United States, a major courtroom turn for a man U.S. authorities describe as one of the founders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG. His sentencing is scheduled for July 31, and he now faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life.
"I plead guilty because I'm guilty," El 85 said.
