The Prosecutor’s Office Against Money Laundering and Other Illicit Assets successfully secured a conviction and subsequent sentence from the Criminal Sentencing Tribunal of Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, Escuintla, against Jonathan A., charged with the offense of money laundering and concealment of illicit assets.

The court imposed a non-paroleable custodial sentence of six years and a monetary fine of Q84,950.00, following the presentation of testimonial, forensic, and documentary evidence establishing the defendant’s criminal liability. This investigation was conducted pursuant to a complaint lodged by the Special Verification Unit of the Superintendency of Banks.

Evidence demonstrated that the accused received 33 cash deposits totaling Q84,950.00 into his bank account, originating from transactions in the departments of Quiché, Suchitepéquez, and Escuintla. Subsequently, these funds were withdrawn minutes later via automated teller machines in Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa.

The prosecution established that the defendant lacked any legitimate commercial or financial activity capable of justifying the lawful origin of the funds. Moreover, the withdrawal patterns constituted an attempt to obstruct and conceal the true nature, source, and destination of the proceeds, which are presumed to be derived from the predicate offense of extortion.

Guatemala, August 13, 2025