An illegal alien who evaded capture for nearly three years was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison last week for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to a Monday statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, a federal jury in February found Carlos Landeros-Salcedo guilty after a three-day trial and just 40 minutes of deliberation among the jurors. U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced him to 60 months in federal prison on June 10.
In March 2016, detectives with the Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit were called to a residence where Landeros-Salcedo was living to respond to a drug complaint. The unidentified homeowner gave verbal and written consent for law enforcement to search the residence. Landeros-Salcedo then informed officers that he had a gun and powered cocaine in his bedroom.
“He then showed officers his room, where a gray Tanfoglio 10mm caliber pistol on the defendant’s bed was in plain view,” according to the statement. “The firearm was loaded with approximately 10 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, detectives recovered 21 small bags containing powder cocaine inside a jar in a dresser drawer, an assortment of baggies, and a black digital scale. The defendant provided a written statement admitting to possession of the drugs.”
Landeros-Salcedo later admitted to being a citizen of Mexico and illegally present in the United States. He was indicted in September 2016, but avoided capture until August 2019 – nearly three years after the initial indictment. At the time of his arrest, he was found with fake immigration documents.
“Criminal aliens not only threaten the sovereignty of our nation, but also threaten the safety of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office has prioritized and renewed our commitment to immigration enforcement, and this case demonstrates our focus on those violent and dangerous criminal aliens who continue to violate our laws after illegal entry. We commend the outstanding investigative work of HSI and ICE in this case.”
Landeros-Salcedo will be subject to deportation and removal upon completion of his sentence.
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Only 60 months?!!
Possession of the firearm should call for a much longer sentence.
Now we have to pay for his room and board. What a lousy deal for we citizens.