A Bexar County towing company owner pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe Sheriff Javier Salazar for a county towing contract, federal officials say.
SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio towing company owner pleaded guilty in a federal public corruption case involving an alleged attempt to bribe Javier Salazar in exchange for a county towing contract, according to federal law enforcement officials.
The announcement came during a press conference hosted Friday by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.
According to prosecutors, 78-year-old Muhammad Choudary admitted to conspiring to commit bribery tied to a Bexar County towing and wrecking services contract.
Federal officials said Bexar County solicited bids for towing services for the sheriff’s office and constable offices around March 2025. Investigators said Choudary, who owned and operated a towing and heavy-duty recovery business in the county, used associate and co-conspirator Anwar Tahir as a middleman in the scheme.
According to court documents discussed during the press conference, Choudary and Tahir met with Sheriff Salazar during a lunch meeting on April 16, 2025, and allegedly offered him $30,000 in exchange for using his position to help award the towing contract to Choudary’s company.
Law enforcement officials said Salazar reported the bribery attempt to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) the following day.
Investigators then introduced an intermediary posing as a representative of the sheriff. During another meeting, officials said Tahir offered an upfront payment of $10,000 along with $25,000 annually for the duration of the contract in exchange for assistance securing the bid for Choudary’s company.
Choudary pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and faces up to five years in federal prison, according to prosecutors. Tahir previously pleaded guilty to the same charge on March 31.
Both men remain out on bond while awaiting sentencing.
Speakers at Thursday’s press conference included First Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Fuchs, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran, IRS Acting Special Agent in Charge Rodrick Benton and Sheriff Javier Salazar.