Texas man gets 10 years after fleeing to Mexico following failed drug and alien smuggling attempt

McALLEN, Texas – A 28-year-old Sullivan City resident has been ordered to prison for alien and drug smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Carlos Alberto Salinas pleaded guilty Dec. 6, 2024.

U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Salinas to serve 120 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard that Salinas demonstrated a disregard for the law and was undeterred by the sentences imposed in his prior alien smuggling and felony drug convictions. The court enhanced the sentence after finding Salinas was responsible for smuggling over 75 aliens and fled to Mexico in an attempt to evade law enforcement.

On July 24, 2024, Salinas attempted to pick up 10 illegal aliens and approximately 100 kilograms of marijuana from the Rio Grande River in Sullivan City. Authorities initiated a quick response to the event, at which time Salinas and several aliens swam across the river to Mexico in an attempt to elude law enforcement.

Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.