News Summary
José Ángel Del Villar, a music executive from Huntington Beach, received a four-year federal prison sentence due to his connections with drug cartels. Despite warnings from the FBI regarding his partner, Jesús Pérez Alvear, Del Villar continued to promote concerts and engage in illicit activities, leading to serious legal consequences. He was convicted of conspiracy and multiple violations of the Kingpin Act, resulting in hefty fines and probation for his company. The incident underscores the troubling intersections of the music industry and organized crime.
Four-Year Sentence for Huntington Beach Music Executive Tied to Drug Cartels
In a startling turn of events, Huntington Beach has made headlines recently with the sentencing of music executive, José Ángel Del Villar, who has been sent to federal prison for four years. The ruling, which came down on August 14, revolves around Del Villar’s connections to concert promoter Jesús Pérez Alvear, known as “Chucho,” who has infamous ties to powerful drug cartels.
Unveiling the Collaboration
The partnership between Del Villar, who is the CEO of Del Records and Del Entertainment Inc., and Pérez started back in April 2018. Together, they aimed to promote concerts in Mexico, bringing various artists to the stage. However, things took a dark turn when it was revealed that Pérez had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act for his alleged involvement in money laundering activities related to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación and the Los Cuinis drug trafficking organization.
The Warning Ignored
Despite serious allegations and warnings from FBI agents, Del Villar chose to move forward with business arrangements involving Pérez. Just a week after being alerted about Pérez’s status, Del Villar’s credit card was used to fly a musician to a concert organized by Pérez in Aguascalientes, Mexico. This flagrant disregard for the law included numerous unlawful transactions, which prosecutors described as a sophisticated criminal scheme carried out over several years.
Concerts and Criminal Charges
Throughout 2018 and 2019, Del Villar and Pérez continued organizing concerts in various cities such as Mexicali and San José Iturbide in Guanajuato. Despite the glaring red flags, Del Villar kept on promoting events and engaging in business activities with an individual publicly recognized as part of criminal networks. This continued collaboration ultimately led to serious legal consequences.
Legal Consequences and Co-defendants
In March 2025, Del Villar and his company were convicted of one conspiracy charge and ten counts of violating the Kingpin Act. Following the trial, Del Villar was not only sentenced to prison but was also slapped with a hefty fine of $2 million. His company, Del Entertainment, received a three-year probationary period along with an additional fine of $1.8 million.
Del Villar’s legal troubles don’t end there. His co-defendant, Luca Scalisi, aged 59, has also found himself in hot water. Scalisi pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to this case and is set to be sentenced on October 22. Meanwhile, Pérez’s legal issues came to a tragic end when he was murdered in Mexico just after pleading guilty.
Recent Developments and Ongoing Investigations
In a further twist, the U.S. Treasury Department has recently sanctioned another performer connected to Del Villar’s businesses, Ricardo Hernández Medrano, for allegedly laundering money for the Cartel del Noreste. This ongoing scrutiny emphasizes the extent of connections between the music industry and criminal organizations.
This entire saga is a harsh reminder that the glitz and glamour of the concert industry can sometimes be tinged with darker forces. As the investigations continue, the community is left to ponder the impact of these revelations on Huntington Beach’s music scene and beyond. It’s a vivid lesson that not every collaboration leads to a harmonious outcome.
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Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
The Huntington Beach Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntington Beach, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Huntington Beach Surf City USA Marathon, the U.S. Open of Surfing, Fourth of July celebrations at the Huntington Beach Pier, and community festivals at Huntington Beach Central Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Huntington Beach, plus leading businesses in retail, hospitality, and outdoor recreation that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
