Santos Salgado, Felon in Possession of Firearms, IL 2024

URBANA, Ill. – Santos Salgado, 31, of Kankakee, Illinois, is headed to federal prison for six years after admitting to a habit of illegally packing heat. U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce handed down the 72-month sentence today, plus three years of supervised release, for possession of firearms by a felon. Salgado has already been cooling his heels in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest back in June of 2016.

The case stems from a series of firearm possessions uncovered in early 2016. On February 1st, authorities found Salgado with a .22 caliber handgun and a .22 caliber rifle. Less than two months later, on March 24th, he was again found to be in possession of another firearm – a .45 caliber handgun. The problem? Salgado wasn’t legally allowed to own any of them.

Court records show Salgado already had a criminal history in Kankakee County when he was caught with these weapons. This wasn’t a first offense, and the judge clearly wasn’t inclined to cut him any slack. The indictment charged him with two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, and on August 15, 2016, Salgado pleaded guilty to both.

This wasn’t a solo operation, however. A multi-agency task force brought Salgado down. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation, with crucial support from the Kankakee Police Department, the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office, ISP/KAMEG, and the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office. It took a coordinated effort to get these guns off the street and Salgado behind bars.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Freres, working out of the Urbana Division, skillfully prosecuted the case, presenting the evidence that ultimately led to Salgado’s conviction and sentencing. Freres didn’t mince words, emphasizing the danger Salgado posed to the community with his repeated disregard for the law.

Salgado’s sentence sends a clear message: in Illinois, and across the federal system, convicted felons caught illegally possessing firearms will face serious consequences. Six years is a hefty price to pay for a gun habit, but it’s a price Salgado will have to pay to account for his actions. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on other instances of illegal gun activity.