Federal officials confirmed Thursday that former boxing world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was arrested in California for overstaying his US visa. He is set to be deported to Mexico, where he faces charges related to organized crime.
His arrest occurred just days after his boxing match against Jake Paul in Anaheim, California.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents took the 39-year-old into custody in Studio City on July 2. He is accused of violating the terms of his tourist visa, which expired in February 2024.
Although US Citizenship and Immigration Services had labeled Chavez an `egregious public safety threat` last year, he reportedly re-entered the country on January 4.
Officials stated that Chavez has an active arrest warrant in Mexico due to alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, including accusations of trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives.
Michael Goldstein, Chavez`s attorney, reported that the boxer was arrested by a large team of federal agents while riding a scooter outside his residence. Goldstein mentioned a court appearance is scheduled for Monday but was unsure of his client`s current whereabouts.
Chavez had applied for a green card in April 2024 based on his marriage to a US citizen. Authorities allege this citizen is connected to the Sinaloa Cartel through a previous relationship with the deceased son of Joaquin `El Chapo` Guzman. Furthermore, officials claim Chavez`s green card application contained several fraudulent statements.
Chavez Jr., a former WBC middleweight champion, has had a career frequently overshadowed by controversy, including failed drug tests, suspensions, and persistent issues with making weight.
Despite his troubled career, he competed against top fighters such as Canelo Alvarez and Sergio Martinez, losing to both.
Murray Blackwood