McAllen, TX — An Edinburg man with multiple prior felony convictions has been sentenced to 140 months in federal prison after authorities found approximately 127 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm inside his vehicle.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, 45-year-old Alvaro Salinas Jr. pleaded guilty on April 27 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The case began on Dec. 7, 2025, when law enforcement responded to a report of an unconscious driver stopped in the middle of a roadway. Officers found Salinas asleep behind the wheel of a Nissan Rogue.
Authorities said Salinas became combative as officers attempted to wake him and tried to drive away while the vehicle’s doors were open. Officers removed him from the vehicle, but Salinas continued resisting and attempted to bite them during the arrest.
Investigators found a firearm inside the driver-side door panel within Salinas’ reach. A subsequent search reportedly uncovered a large plastic bag containing approximately 127 grams of methamphetamine.
Federal prosecutors said Salinas’ criminal history includes previous convictions for federal drug trafficking, transporting people who were in the country illegally, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Because of those felony convictions, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced Salinas to 140 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He remains in custody awaiting transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the Pharr Police Department.