Who is Sarah Krissoff, the former prosecutor who will defend the former security secretary of Sinaloa accused by the US.
Sarah Krissoff, former deputy prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, is part of the defense of Gerardo Mérida Sánchez, former Secretary of Security of Sinaloa
Former US federal prosecutor Sarah Krissoff will be in charge of the legal defense of Gerardo Mérida Sánchez, former Secretary of Public Security of Sinaloa, who faces accusations in the United States for alleged links to the Sinaloa Cartel.
According to records from the Court of the Southern District of New York, Mérida Sánchez pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against her by the US justice system.
His next hearing was scheduled for June 1, and it will be the first formal review of the case opened against the retired military officer.
The appointment of Sarah Krissoff as part of the defense draws attention due to her track record in complex litigation within the American judicial system.
According to the Cozen O’Connor firm, which has more than 1,000 attorneys practicing internationally in 33 cities across the Americas and Europe, Sarah is a sought-after economic crimes defense attorney and an experienced former federal prosecutor.
He has an impressive track record of assertively representing companies and individuals in government and internal investigations, criminal cases, and complex civil litigation before federal and state courts.
While serving as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York from 2008 to 2021, she led numerous high-profile government investigations that required the coordination of law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions.
His case portfolio included investigations into complex financial fraud and money laundering, organized crime, healthcare fraud, cybercrimes and violent crimes.
Currently, Sarah specializes in defending clients against criminal and civil fraud allegations, with an emphasis on federal criminal matters brought by the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney's Offices across the country.
Regarding the person he represents, the United States authorities accuse the former secretary of collaborating with members of the Sinaloa Cartel, particularly with the faction known as “Los Chapitos”, through alleged institutional protection and leaking information on security operations.
The case is part of a broader investigation against former Sinaloa officials and officials accused of alleged links to drug trafficking, a situation that has increased political and diplomatic pressure between Mexico and the United States.