Purported drug lord associate sentenced to 19 years

CHICAGO (AP) - A U.S. judge has sentenced a purported associate of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to 19 years in prison for coordinating the deliveries of heroin and cocaine to Chicago.

Tomas Arevalo-Renteria apologized at Wednesday's sentencing in Chicago. The 46-year-old told Judge Ruben Castillo, "I know that I must pay for my mistakes."

Castillo said he didn't factor Guzman's notoriety in calculating Renteria's punishment. He called Guzman the "ultimate head of this beast."

Prosecutors wanted a 25-year term for Renteria. The defense said that would be too stiff for someone not at the top of the Sinaloa cartel's command.

Guzman's named in the same indictment. Prosecutors have indicated they would like him extradited to Chicago. Mexican authorities captured Guzman last year, but he escaped and remains at large.