Progreso mayor appears in court after arrest

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS (ValleyCentral) — Progreso Mayor Gerardo “Jerry” Alanis made his first appearance in federal court Tuesday after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested him on drug charges.

Jerry Alanis, 31, of Progreso appeared before a judge on Tuesday morning at the federal courthouse in Brownsville.

Wearing handcuffs and a chain around his waist, Jerry Alanis said he understood the charges against him — and that, if convicted, he could spend 10 years to life in federal prison.

Attorney O. Rene Flores of Edinburg, who represents Jerry Alanis, declined to comment.

The case against Jerry Alanis is part of a federal investigation that started in 2020, when Border Patrol caught Joe Rosbel Salas Jr., a former Progreso Independent School District bus driver, with about 30 pounds of cocaine.

During the next three years, prosecutors brought charges against seven other people, including Jerry’s brother, Francisco “Frank” Alanis, 41, of Progreso.

Homeland Security Investigations, which is part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arrested Frank Alanis in October 2023.

The arrest rocked Progreso, where the Alanis family had dominated local politics for nearly a decade.

Frank Alanis served as president of the Progreso school board and worked at Progreso City Hall. Jerry Alanis served as mayor of Progreso and worked for the school district. A third brother — Alejandro “Alex” Alanis, who isn’t accused of any wrongdoing — also served on the school board and worked for the city.

Agents with Homeland Security Investigations returned to Progreso on Monday, when they arrested Jerry Alanis on drug trafficking charges.

After spending the night in federal custody, Jerry Alanis appeared in court Tuesday morning.

His mother, Maria De La Luz Alanis; his sister-in-law, Edith Vasquez; and his wife, Ariana Marquez, showed up for the hearing.

A court security officer, however, said the courtroom had limited seating and just one member of the family would be allowed to attend the hearing.

The security officer also prevented Marquez from entering the courtroom, which had several empty seats, until the judge had already taken the bench. His mother and his sister-in-law had to wait outside.

Dressed in an olive-green shirt and black pants, Jerry Alanis stood silently as U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Betancourt summarized the indictment against him.

The indictment charged Jerry Alanis with one count of conspiracy to possess more than 5 kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute and two counts of possession of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Jerry Alanis said he understood the charges and the potential punishment he faced if convicted.

Betancourt, the federal judge, scheduled Jerry Alanis for arraignment on Thursday. After the arraignment, Betancourt will hear arguments on bond.