A Sullivan City resident has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for charges related to alien and drug smuggling. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Carlos Alberto Salinas, 28, entered a guilty plea on December 6, 2024. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton, who noted Salinas's disregard for the law and previous convictions involving alien smuggling and drug-related felonies. The court found that Salinas was responsible for smuggling over 75 individuals and had fled to Mexico to avoid capture.
The incident occurred on July 24, 2024, when Salinas attempted to retrieve ten illegal aliens and around 100 kilograms of marijuana from the Rio Grande River in Sullivan City. As authorities responded quickly, Salinas and several others swam across the river into Mexico in an effort to escape law enforcement.
The investigation was carried out by Border Patrol agents, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
