On Friday, former All-Star MLB pitcher Esteban Loaiza pled guilty to felony cocaine charges, acknowledging he possessed 44 pounds of cocaine with the intent to distribute it.
Officials believe he may have been involved in international drug smuggling, with ABC7 Chicago reporting “Federal investigators believe [his] property, which they found empty of furnishings, was being used as a transshipment point for cocaine. The day Loaiza was arrested, he had driven over the Mexican border.”
Loaiza, who was married to late banda singer Jenni Rivera, is reported to have earned more than $43 million over the course of his 14 season career. He now faces up a minimum of 10 years in a prison and maximum of life. He could also be deported to Mexico.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 2.