The Attorney General’s Office (FGJ) of Mexico City has upheld a substantial 43-year prison sentence for Roberto Moyado Esparza, known as “El Betito,” the notorious former leader of the Tepito Union. His criminal activities, particularly a 2015 homicide near the Venustiano Carranza Mayor’s Office, have finally led to this long-term imprisonment, as confirmed by FGJ spokesperson Ulises Lara.
El Betito’s criminal record is extensive. He was implicated in a brutal murder inside a bar in the Morelos neighborhood, an area known for its mechanical heating services. The 2015 incident involved “El Betito” and three accomplices storming the bar and opening fire, resulting in the death of one individual due to severe thoracic and head injuries while leaving two others critically wounded. His arrest in August 2018 by the Federal Police’s Anti-Drug Division marked a significant turning point in bringing this criminal leader to justice.
Throughout his trial, “El Betito” faced charges of crimes against health, qualified homicide, and attempted homicide. The capital’s prosecutor’s investigations painted a vivid picture of the night’s events and his involvement, leading to the original 43-year and nine-month sentence recently reaffirmed.
The FGJ’s steadfast pursuit of justice reflects their commitment to addressing crime and violence in Mexico City. Despite being acquitted of a kidnapping charge last September, “El Betito” remained incarcerated for the multitude of other crimes attributed to him. As a former lieutenant of Édgar Valdez Villarreal, aka “La Barbie,” and a key figure in the Tepito Union—a group involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and other illicit activities in central and eastern Mexico City—his incarceration marks a critical victory in combating organized crime.
El Betito’s criminal endeavors began back in 2008 with a robbery arrest. Shortly after his release, he was recruited by the Tepito Union, a powerful cartel established by “La Barbie” that consolidated the major families and drug dealers in the notorious Bravo neighborhood. This cartel included influential figures such as the Magaña brothers, the Romero brothers, Ricardo López Castillo (aka “El Moco”), and Francisco Javier Hernández Gómez (aka “Pancho Cayagu”). Their operations extended to negotiating protection rackets with local business owners, including a significant incident involving Carlos Alan Santos Cruz, a young member of a rival cartel faction.
The Tepito Union’s brutal enforcement of territorial and business control is evident in its response to perceived betrayal or competition. The narrative of “El Betito” and his hitmen retaliating against those who crossed them, like the incident with Carlos Alan Santos Cruz and subsequent negotiations and violence, exemplifies the harsh reality of cartel operations in the city.
As the FGJ and other authorities continue to clamp down on organized crime, the sentencing of “El Betito” serves as a reminder of the law’s reach and the ongoing efforts to ensure safety and justice in Mexico City and beyond. The “El Betito” case is more than a tale of crime; it’s a testament to the resilience of law enforcement and the judiciary in the face of pervasive criminal networks.
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