El Chapo associate pleads guilty in Chicago court

A reputed associate of Mexican cartel leader Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán has pleaded guilty to helping move more than US$1.5 million in drug money between the U.S. and Mexico.

Edgar Manuel Valencia Ortega entered the plea Wednesday in Chicago federal court. The Chicago Tribune reported that he admitted to laundering money related to sale of cocaine in Chicago and Los Angeles. Prosecutors say Ortega isn't expected to face other charges in connection with importing the drug.

U.S. authorities say the 28-year-old Ortega's nickname was "the Fox." He faces up to 20 years in prison and is to be sentenced Aug. 3.

Ortega was arrested in Las Vegas in 2014 and brought to Chicago, where other alleged Guzmán subordinates have been charged.

Guzmán is leader of the Sinaloa cartel. He was captured in January