In a recent announcement, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis declared a 37-year prison sentence for Sergio Cardenas-Salinas, a 30-year-old Houston resident convicted of orchestrating a crime wave of home burglaries. According to the Collin County District Attorney's Office, Cardenas-Salinas led an organized criminal operation that targeted homes across Collin County, specifically preying on Asian, South Asian, and Middle Eastern communities.
The string of burglaries, executed with precision between July 16, 2023, and September 5, 2023, rattled residents in Plano, Prosper, and McKinney. Several homes were invaded for their gold, jewelry, and cash stores. After an intense investigation, tracing a vehicle linked to the suspects, officials arrested nine individuals on September 5, including Cardenas-Salinas. The vehicle that led to these arrests was identified by Plano Police Department detectives.
Cardenas-Salinas' criminal roots extend beyond the borders of the United States, having been deported twice from the country for illegal entry. Yet, he managed to reenter and command these high-profile burglaries. As reported by the Collin County District Attorney's Office, Cardenas-Salinas pleaded guilty to Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and chose to have his punishment determined by a jury, culminating in the 37-year sentence.
"Collin County will not tolerate criminal illegal aliens targeting our law-abiding citizens," Willis sharply remarked in his declaration, as per the Collin County District Attorney's Office. Alongside the recent burglary convictions, evidence of Cardenas-Salinas' prior offenses, including a conviction for attempted deadly conduct, further exacerbated his sentence prospects. Determined by the jury, the lengthy sentence paints a stark image as Willis continues, "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."
The trial and sentencing, presided over by Judge Richard Davis, reflected a collaborative effort by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ann Mathew and Dewey Mitchell. They received investigative assistance from Assistant District Attorney Allison Barber and District Attorney Investigator Matthew Mayes, a team that meticulously pieced together phone records, surveillance footage, and other evidence to secure the conviction of the Honduran citizen.
