Former Progreso Independent School District Board President Francisco “Frank” Alanis was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for his role in a drug-trafficking operation that involved stashing cocaine at a local middle school.
Two former Progreso mayors, including Frank’s brother Gerardo “Jerry” Alanis, have also confessed to their roles in the lucrative drug-smuggling scheme.
Federal agents reportedly found more than $720,000 in cash stuffed into safes in a home owned by Frank and Jerry’s mother.
Frank Alanis was arrested in October 2023 on federal charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, primarily cocaine.
He pleaded guilty in October 2024 and was sentenced last week to 12 years and 6 months in prison.
Alanis served on the Progreso ISD school board from 2016 to 2024. He also worked for the city of Progreso as an assistant city manager and city secretary.
Frank’s brother Jerry Alanis, who became mayor of Progreso in 2017 and resigned following his arrest in 2024, pleaded guilty in February to participating in the drug-trafficking scheme.
Jerry’s predecessor, former Progreso Mayor Arturo Aleman, was sentenced in March to 33 months in prison for his role in the drug-smuggling conspiracy.
Another Alanis brother, Alejandro “Alex” Alanis, also served on the Progreso school board but was not among the nearly dozen people charged in the case.
“When individuals in positions of public trust use their authority for criminal gain, we will ensure they are held accountable,” stated Mark Lippa, the deputy special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in the Rio Grande Valley.
The Alanis family and their allies came to dominate Progreso politics after members of another leading political family, the Velas, were charged in 2013 in a public corruption scheme involving the city and school district.
Guadalupe “Lupe” Vela worked as the maintenance and transportation supervisor for Progreso ISD, while his sons Omar and Michael Vela were the mayor of Progreso and president of the Progreso ISD school board. Another son, Orlando Vela, served on the city council and had a job with the school district.
Federal authorities charged the Vela family members with conspiring to obtain bribes and kickbacks from several city and school district service providers. All four were sent to prison.
At the time, Progreso ISD received more than $1 million per year in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education.
Nearby La Joya ISD was placed under state management last year after two school board trustees and three district administrators pleaded guilty to federal public corruption charges.
No ads. No paywalls. No government grants. No corporate masters.
Just real news for real Texans.
Support Texas Scorecard to keep it that way!
