News Releases

Illegal alien sentenced to 3 years for selling cocaine, possessing false green cards

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - A citizen of El Salvador was sentenced Friday to serve 36 months in federal prison for distributing cocaine and possessing two fraudulent Resident Alien (aka "green") cards and social security cards. U.S. Attorney John C. Richter, Western District of Oklahoma, announced the sentence; the investigation was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Juan Batres-Salguero, 38, an illegal alien, was indicted in July by a grand jury in Oklahoma City. On Aug. 21, he pleaded guilty to selling cocaine in September 2006 and for possessing two false green cards and two false social security cards in June 2008; he also pleaded guilty for unlawful possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. As part of the plea, Batres-Salguero agreed to forfeit two handguns and two shotguns which he possessed.

ICE received a lead in June 2007 that an unidentified subject at a local tire shop was producing and selling counterfeit Resident Alien cards.

On June 19, 2008, ICE agents, in conjunction with other federal and local and law enforcement officers, executed search warrants at Batres-Salguero's residence and business in Oklahoma City. Pursuant to the search warrant, agents seized two shotguns, a .25-caliber semiautomatic handgun and magazine, 166 rounds of various ammunition, two fraudulent resident alien cards and fraudulent Social Security cards. Additionally, agents seized photographs, documents and about $1,150 in U.S. currency. ICE agents arrested Batres-Salguero at his business location during the search.

This case was investigated by ICE, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sanford C. Coats, Western District of Oklahoma.