A Mexican judge has halted efforts to have reputed drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman extradited here to the U.S.

The Mexican Attorney General's office reports all proceedings have been halted until the court can consider an appeal to the proposed move lodged by Guzman's legal team.

Guzman Charged in Number of Federal Indictments

Originally, Guzman's extradition to the States was approved back in May, with the stipulation that the government would not seek the death penalty against him. He is charged in a number of federal indictments with running lucrative and violent drug rings all over the U.S.

The ruling now means it could be months or even years before El Chapo ever sets foot on U.S. soil or in its judicial system. Guzman is now being held at a maximum security prison near the U.S. border.

Guzman has already escaped twice before from the custody of Mexican officials, one remaining at large for as long as 13 years. He was most recently recaptured earlier this year after he escaped through an underground tunnel from his cell to the outside world.

Guard's Murder Still Probed

Meanwhile, a guard assigned to guard the prison were Guzman is now being held was recently found murdered near the facility with signs of torture to his body.

Jorge Maurico Melendez Herrera, 20, is reported to have died of a blow to the back of the neck. He had also been stabbed numerous times. As many as 300 soldiers have now been assigned to provide security around the prison.

More recently, the remains of the seven men were discovered in Mexico's western Sinaloa state, otherwise known as the now jailed Guzman's old home turf. Authorities are now probing to determine if any of the killings may be connected to Guzman or the Sinaloa drug cartel he once served as the face of.

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