A Honduran immigrant, twice deported, masterminded a North Texas burglary ring targeting Middle Eastern and Asian homes. Now, he’s facing decades behind bars.
At a glance:
- Sergio Cardenas-Salinas, a Honduran illegal immigrant deported twice from the U.S., was sentenced to 37 years in prison for leading a burglary ring in North Texas.
- The group targeted homes in affluent neighborhoods, believing the residents stored cash and valuables, stealing gold, jewelry, and cash.
- Cardenas-Salinas, who was previously convicted of attempted deadly conduct, coordinated the crimes despite being deported and re-entering the U.S. illegally.
Sergio Cardenas-Salinas, a 30-year-old Honduran illegal immigrant, has been sentenced to 37 years in prison after being convicted of leading an organized burglary ring that terrorized residents in North Texas. Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced Cardenas-Salinas’ sentence on Thursday, underscoring that the convicted criminal had previously been deported from the United States twice but managed to illegally re-enter the country and “mastermind” the operation.
https://x.com/borderObserver/status/1847461591056372170
Between July and September 2023, Cardenas-Salinas led a group responsible for high-profile home invasions in the cities of Plano, Prosper, and McKinney. The ring primarily targeted Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Asian families, believing they kept large amounts of cash and valuables in their homes. Over the course of two months, 10 homes were burglarized, with thieves making off with gold, jewelry, and cash.
The burglary ring, composed of individuals from Honduras, Guatemala, and Venezuela, was dismantled after an investigation by the Plano Police Department. On September 5, 2023, law enforcement tracked a vehicle tied to the crimes and arrested nine individuals involved. Cardenas-Salinas, identified as the ringleader, was found to have coordinated the break-ins, directing his crew on which homes to target and how to distribute the stolen loot.
Cardenas-Salinas’ prior criminal history included a conviction for attempted deadly conduct, for which he had served six months in state prison before his release and subsequent deportation. Despite his past deportations, he managed to return to the U.S. and orchestrate this latest crime spree. He pleaded guilty to engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony, and faced up to life in prison.
“Collin County will not tolerate criminal illegal aliens targeting our law-abiding citizens,” said District Attorney Willis. “Cardenas-Salinas had no right to be in this county, let alone this country. This lengthy prison sentence sends a clear message: we will protect our community from those who come here to commit crimes.”
