A Texas man has been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for his role in the kidnapping of a toddler from Birmingham, Alabama. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
Steven Andrew Holguin, 42, of El Paso, Texas, received a sentence of 210 months in prison and will be subject to a life term of supervised release. In April, Holguin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping before U.S. District Court Judge Anna M. Manasco.
According to court documents, on November 4, 2021, officers from the Birmingham Police Department responded to a report that a three-year-old girl had been kidnapped from her home. Holguin and his co-conspirator, Elis Salgado-Galindo, took the child with plans to transport her to her father in Honduras. Salgado-Galindo grabbed the toddler and left the residence with help from Holguin.
An Amber Alert was issued for the missing child. Law enforcement agencies along the Alabama/Mississippi state line were given descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle. Later that evening, deputies from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department in Mississippi stopped a vehicle matching the description provided by authorities. Deputies instructed Holguin, who was driving, to exit his vehicle while they removed other occupants including the toddler.
A deputy recognized the child from the Amber Alert and sent her photo to a detective with Birmingham Police Department; her mother confirmed her identity when shown the picture. Both suspects were taken into custody at that time and the child was safely returned home.
Holguin had previously been convicted in 2020 in federal court in Texas for conspiracy to transport aliens and served six months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Salgado-Galindo is a Mexican citizen who was unlawfully present in the United States at the time of this incident. He was turned over to ICE custody on December 14, 2021 and deported before he could be indicted on federal charges.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations (Birmingham), Birmingham Police Department, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Pearl Mississippi Police Department, and Rankin County Mississippi Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White prosecuted this case.
“U.S. District Court Judge Anna M. Manasco sentenced Steven Andrew Holguin, 42, of El Paso, Texas, to 210 months in prison followed by a life term of supervised release.”
“In April, Holguin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping.”
“According to the plea agreement…Holguin and his co-conspirator…kidnapped the toddler with intent of taking her to her father…who lives in Honduras.”
“With Holguin’s assistance…Salgado-Galindo grabbed the toddler and fled…”
“An Amber Alert was issued…”
“A deputy recognized the toddler from Amber Alert…sent picture…detective showed picture…toddler’s mother confirmed…”
“Both men were immediately taken into custody…toddler safely returned…”
“Holguin was previously convicted…for conspiracy to transport aliens…”
“Salgado-Galindo…was unlawfully present…”
“…turned over to ICE custody and deported prior…”
