Former Progreso mayor sentenced to nearly 3 years in prison for smuggling drugs

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Former Progreso Mayor Arturo Aleman, who provided a drug trafficking organization with tractor-trailers, was sentenced to nearly three years in prison Tuesday.

During a hearing on Tuesday morning, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. sentenced Arturo Aleman, 43, of Progreso to 33 months in federal prison and fined him $10,000.

“I am sorry. I am not asking you to forgive me,” Aleman said, adding that he simply wanted a fair sentence. “Even though I did this to myself.”

Aleman graduated from Santa Maria High School in 2000. Less than a year later, he started working for a company that made window blinds and shutters.

The company had financial problems in 2004, according to documents filed in a federal bankruptcy case. Aleman lost his job.

With a wife and 4-year-old son at home, Aleman needed work.

He applied for a job with the Progreso Independent School District, according to documents released under the Texas Public Information Act. Asked for references, Aleman listed three family members and Francisco “Frank” Alanis, a friend who had just accepted a job at City Hall.

Progreso ISD hired Aleman on March 31, 2005, the day he applied. The job, an auxiliary position in the bus barn, paid just $5.15 per hour.

Aleman’s political career started in April 2014, when a major scandal rocked Progreso.

Mayor Omar L. Vela and his brother, City Councilman Orlando Vela, pleaded guilty to public corruption charges.

Days after they pleaded guilty, the City Council appointed Aleman to a vacant position — and the Vela brothers resigned.

The scandal created a power vacuum in Progreso. Aleman and his friend, Frank Alanis, filled the void.

In August 2014, the city held a special election. Aleman became the mayor and Frank’s brother, Gerardo “Jerry” Alanis, joined the City Council.

They consolidated power in May 2016, when Frank Alanis won a seat on the school board.

In November 2017, when Aleman’s term expired, the Alanis family had taken control of Progreso.

Aleman stepped aside and Jerry Alanis, who had just turned 25 years old, ran unopposed for mayor.

The connection between Aleman and the Alanis brothers, however, went beyond politics. At some point, they started smuggling drugs.

Aleman and Frank Alanis provided the drug trafficking organization with financial support, which allowed smugglers to acquire tractor-trailers.

Jerry Alanis, meanwhile, invested “in multiple cocaine loads,” according to his plea agreement.

The investigation started in 2020, when Border Patrol agents seized two cocaine shipments near Sarita.

Agents with Homeland Security Investigations, which is part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, linked the cocaine to drug smugglers in Progreso.

“This case underscores ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unwavering commitment to ensure any segments of our community who participate in criminal activity are held accountable,” said Mark Lippa, the deputy special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in the Rio Grande Valley. “When individuals in positions of public trust use their authority for criminal gain, we will ensure they are held accountable. ICE HSI remains steadfast in its mission to investigate and dismantle criminal enterprises that threaten the safety, security, and trust of our communities.”

Frank Alanis was arrested in 2023. During a search, federal agents found more than $720,000 in cash at his mother’s house.

Charges against Jerry Alanis followed in 2024. He allegedly participated in a conspiracy to stash cocaine at Dorothy Thompson Middle School in Progreso.

Aleman struck a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy that involved more than 5 kilograms — about 11 pounds — of cocaine.

Dressed in a polo shirt and khaki pants, Aleman returned to court Tuesday for sentencing.

Aleman purchased tractor-trailers for the drug trafficking organization, said his attorney, Rick Salinas of Mission.

Purchasing tractor-trailers isn’t illegal. Buying them for drug smugglers, though, made Aleman a co-conspirator.

“People are easily influenced into believing, like some of these gambling schemes, that: Yeah, we can do it,” Salinas said. “Even though anyone right out of law school will tell you: You can’t do it. It’s illegal. And it’s wrong.”

Aleman stopped participating in the conspiracy before he was caught.

In 2022 or 2023, when the government approached him, Aleman cooperated, Salinas said.

“Like I tell most of my clients, you either didn’t do it and you’re innocent and there’s nothing to talk about. Or you did it and you’re still claiming that you’re innocent and there’s nothing to talk about,” Salinas said. “The third phase is you did it and you regret it and you want to resolve it. And I think he ended up in the last category.”

Aleman met with prosecutors, including former Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra Andrade and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt, several times.

At sentencing, he thanked Andrade and the judge.

“You will never see me back in court again,” Aleman said.