A Pueblo man, Dominick Jesus Salazar, 52, has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison following his conviction for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The sentencing was announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.
Salazar’s arrest took place on May 23, 2023, outside a hotel room in Pueblo where he had been staying. According to trial evidence, Pueblo Police Officers observed him engaging in behavior typical of hand-to-hand drug transactions. Upon his arrest, officers found a loaded pistol and cash identified as drug proceeds on Salazar. A search of his hotel room led to the discovery of 188 grams of methamphetamine and 82 fentanyl pills. Investigators also recovered evidence from Salazar’s phone indicating that he was distributing drugs from the hotel.
“Pueblo is safer because Mr. Salazar is going to federal prison,” said United States Attorney Peter McNeilly. “We’re grateful to the committed men and women of the Pueblo Police Department and federal partners like the FBI who are invested in reducing violent crime and drug dealing in that community.”
“When we bring the full force of federal prosecution against drug dealers, we’re not just making arrests—we’re delivering justice with real consequences,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “The FBI stands united with local law enforcement and will use every tool we have to drive violent crime out of our communities.”
United States District Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney oversaw the sentencing proceedings. The case was investigated by the FBI Denver Field Office, while prosecution was managed by the Violent Crime and Immigration Enforcement Section within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Colorado.
Case Number: 23-CR-00310
