A Honduran illegal immigrant, who had been deported from the U.S. twice, was sentenced to 37 years in prison after being convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity in North Texas.

Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced Thursday that 30-year-old Sergio Cardenas-Salinas, from Houston, was sentenced for leading an organized criminal operation responsible for several high-profile home burglaries.

District Attorney Greg Willis Announces 37-Year Prison Sentence for Twice Deported Ringleader of Central and South American Burglary Crew

District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that Sergio Cardenas-Salinas, 30, of Houston, Texas, has been sentenced to 37 years in prison… pic.twitter.com/iZBCYtZQc2

— Collin County DA (@collincountyda) October 17, 2024

Cardenas-Salinas was convicted of a first-degree felony by a Collin County jury after an investigation by the Plano Police Department linked him to the crimes. Detectives tracked down the suspect’s vehicle on September 5, 2023, leading to the arrest of nine individuals involved in the burglary ring.

The burglary ring was composed of individuals from Honduras, Guatemala, and Venezuela. The suspects targeted residents of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Asian descent, believing these groups stored significant amounts of cash and valuables in their homes.

During the investigation, detectives gathered phone records, surveillance footage, and other evidence linking Cardenas-Salinas as the leader of the ring. He instructed his crew on which homes to target and how to distribute the stolen valuables, primarily gold, reports Fox News.

Despite being deported twice for illegal entry, Cardenas-Salinas returned to the U.S. and orchestrated these crimes. His criminal history also includes a conviction for attempted deadly conduct, for which he served six months in state prison before being released.

Although he faced a potential life sentence for engaging in organized crime, the jury handed down a 37-year sentence.

“Collin County will not tolerate criminal illegal aliens targeting our law-abiding citizens,” District Attorney Willis stated. “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.”