The Mexican exlanzador Esteban Loaiza surrendered to the authorities of California (USA) to serve a three-year prison sentence, for possession and distribution of drugs.
Loiza, 47, entered a federal court in San Diego Friday with her lawyer and family, and made her way to the dozens of journalists who searched in vain for a statement from the athlete.
Last March, the former baseball player was sentenced to 36 months in prison and five years of probation, although this last part of the sentence would not comply as he is expected to be deported once his time in prison ends.
After being arrested in February 2018 in southern San Diego County, Loaiza pleaded guilty last August to possession of 20 kilos (44 pounds) of cocaine with the intention of distributing it, which amounts to half a million dollars.
The prosecution asked for a sentence of almost five years, but district judge Janis Sammartino finally handed down three years in prison.
“He is aware that he was wrong (…) and wants to continue with his life.
He is not trying to make excuses or minimize, he wants to pay for what he did, “said his lawyer Janice Deaton outside the federal building.
Deaton said that his client will be considered the time he was already in custody and is expected to be months out of good behavior.
Loaiza, who appeared thin because of the diabetes he suffers, will have adequate medical attention, said his lawyer, who said that in the next few days will be determined in what minimum security prison will serve his sentence and meanwhile will remain in the Center Metropolitan Correctional.
The exoter wants to rebuild his life once he gets out of prison and would like to be a baseball coach and help young people not to make bad decisions, his lawyer said.
Born in Tijuana (Mexico), Esteban Loaiza began his professional career in 1995, during which he played with the White Sox of Chicago, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Texas Rangers, among other teams.
Loaiza was the husband of singer Jenni Rivera, from whom she divorced two months before the artist died in a plane crash in 2012.
