Former Progreso mayor pleads guilty in federal drug trafficking case

BROWNSVILLE, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — Former Progreso Mayor Arturo Aleman pleaded guilty to a federal drug trafficking charge on Tuesday.

Aleman, who served as mayor of Progreso from 2014 to 2017, admitted to acquiring tractor-trailers for a drug trafficking organization that smuggled cocaine through South Texas.

Former Progreso Mayor Gerardo “Jerry” Alanis and his brother, former Progreso school board President Francisco “Frank” Alanis , also participated in the conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, which is prosecuting the case.

“I think that he did the right thing,” said attorney Rick Salinas of Mission, who represents Aleman.

Aleman struck a deal with prosecutors and self-surrendered before 8 a.m. Tuesday for a pre-arranged plea.

Prosecutors agreed to hold Aleman responsible for just 11 to 33 pounds of cocaine and recommend a sentence at the low end of federal guidelines. In exchange, Aleman pleaded guilty and waived his right to appeal.

During the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra Andrade said the case against Aleman is linked to Joe Rosbel Salas Jr., a former bus driver for the Progreso Independent School District.

Border Patrol caught Salas with about 30 pounds of cocaine in August 2020, when he attempted to drive through a checkpoint near Sarita.

Homeland Security Investigations, which is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, linked Salas to a drug trafficking organization based in Progreso.

Prosecutors charged eight people with participating in the conspiracy, including Jerry Alanis, who served as mayor of Progreso from 2017 to 2024, and Frank Alanis, who served on the Progreso school board from 2016 to 2024.

The Alanis brothers pleaded not guilty . They’re scheduled for trial in October.

Aleman, meanwhile, confessed to smuggling drugs and cooperated with the government.

“He’s always accepted responsibility,” said Salinas, the attorney who represents Aleman.

Salinas said he didn’t know if prosecutors would ask Aleman to testify against the Alanis brothers.

“He may not have to,” Salinas said. “I don’t know if it’s something he would entertain.”

Any assistance Aleman provides, however, could result in a reduced sentence.

“We’ll see what happens,” Salinas said.

Sentencing is scheduled for January. Aleman faces 10 years to life in federal prison.

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