Two Mexican nationals have been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking offenses in the Eastern District of Texas. Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs announced the sentences on June 23, 2025.
Leopoldo Alonso-Palacios, aged 38, received a sentence of 168 months, while Juan Luis Salinas-Leon, aged 37, was sentenced to 262 months by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle.
Court records reveal that on March 4, 2025, both individuals were stopped for speeding on Interstate-20 in Wills Point. A subsequent search of their vehicle uncovered 937.7 grams of methamphetamine. Salinas-Leon was found with a firearm at the time of his arrest. The men admitted to possessing additional methamphetamine at their residences in Center.
Federal agents searched their homes and discovered large quantities of methamphetamine concealed in chicken lard and paraphernalia typically used in methamphetamine conversion labs. Over six kilograms of methamphetamine ready for distribution were recovered along with 22 kilograms of liquids testing positive for methamphetamine.
Immigration records indicate both men were unlawfully present in the United States, and Salinas-Leon had previously faced prosecution for illegal entry into the country.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs).
The investigation involved several agencies including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Gregg County Sheriff's Office; and Wills Point Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek prosecuted the case.
