A Pueblo man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after being found guilty by a federal jury last year of possessing a substantial amount of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Dominick Jesus Salazar, 52, was arrested in May 2023 outside the former Rodeway Inn in Pueblo and convicted last November of carrying more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
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Salazar was apprehended after a Pueblo police officer conducting surveillance saw him outside the now-defunct budget motel, which was “well known to Pueblo law enforcement as a location that is used for criminal activity, including drug dealing,” according to court records.
The officer observed Salazar “interacting with multiple people in a manner consistent with hand-to-hand drug sales,” according to the announcement.
According to a brief account of the incident, a police officer knew Salazar had an existing warrant for his arrest and arrested him after confirming that the order was still current. Salazar was found with a loaded weapon in his pocket, as well as money and a key to a hotel room.
A check of the room found drug paraphernalia such as transparent baggies and glass bongs, and officers discovered 184 grams of meth that was “98% pure,” according to the announcement. During the search, police found 82 fentanyl pills.
Salazar was arrested and transferred to the Pueblo Police Department, where he eventually relinquished his rights. He was subsequently grilled on video for almost an hour, during which time he made “several statements about buying and selling methamphetamines,” according to court records.
“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,” FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek said in the release. “The FBI stands united with local law enforcement and will use every tool we have to drive violent crime out of our communities.”
Charlotte N. Sweeney, United States District Judge, presided over Salazar’s jury trial and sentencing. The FBI Denver Field Office conducted the investigation, while the Violent Crime and Immigration Enforcement Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado prosecuted.
