Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A 19-year-old Mexican national, Angel David Salas-Herrera, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in attempting to export a stolen vehicle. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the arrest, stating that Salas-Herrera is scheduled to make his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano.
According to the criminal complaint, on May 2, law enforcement identified a Jeep Gladiator reported stolen from Edinburg in Cameron County. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver did not comply, leading to a chase that concluded with the vehicle allegedly crashing near a residence in Brownsville.
The complaint alleges that Salas-Herrera was a passenger in the vehicle and that authorities discovered multiple key fobs and a device used for programming them during their search of the Gladiator. It is claimed that the Jeep was intended for export to Mexico for use by the Gulf Cartel. Law enforcement also reportedly recovered two additional vehicles meant for similar purposes.
Salas-Herrera faces charges of exporting stolen motor vehicles and could face up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted, along with a potential fine of up to $250,000.
This case is part of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Operation Cocina de Caldo. The investigation involves several agencies including the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety, as well as sheriff’s offices and police departments across multiple counties and cities.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roberto Lopez Jr. and Sarina DiPiazza are prosecuting this case under OCDETF's Operation Take Back America initiative which aims to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
It should be noted that a criminal complaint serves as an accusation rather than evidence; defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty through due legal process.
