Louisville, KY – This week marks the sentencing of the last defendant in a federal drug and firearms offenses conspiracy that spanned over a year. Announcements were made by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in Charge Quincy R. Barnett of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Court documents reveal that Irlan Salazar, 41, from Cuba, was sentenced on April 15, 2025, to three years and one month in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Salazar's charges were misprision of a felony and obstructing justice by retaliating against a witness, victim, or an informant.
Cesar Valdes, 33, also from Cuba, received a 15-year prison sentence on March 26, 2025, with an additional five years supervised release. His offenses included conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, multiple counts of distributing both fentanyl and methamphetamine, firearm possession in drug trafficking, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Previous felony offenses against Valdes were detailed: in January 2014, convictions included attempted robbery, enhanced trafficking near a school, and trafficking marijuana. In June 2021, he was convicted of leaving an accident scene with death or serious injury.
Jorge Morales Martinez, 45, from Mexico, was sentenced on February 4, 2025, to two years and six months in prison, plus five years supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distributing fentanyl.
Victor Hernandez, 37, of Louisville, was sentenced on September 13, 2024, to four years in prison and five years supervised release for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and both methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution.
Federal sentences do not allow for parole. The case was investigated by the FBI and LMPD, with support from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Dahl led prosecution efforts, supported by paralegal Carissa Moss.
Sentences were part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative deploying the Department of Justice’s resources to combat illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime. The effort leverages resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
