District of Nebraska

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Steven M. Woodall, 64, of South Sioux City, Nebraska, was sentenced February 14, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for theft of government funds. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Woodall to four years of probation. Woodall is also required to pay restitution in the amount of $50,540.

Woodall applied for benefits from the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration. Based in part on statements provided by Woodall, he was determined to be 100% disabled due to being legally blind and he began receiving benefits. Law enforcement agents discovered Woodall maintained a Nebraska driver’s license during the period when he was received disability benefits due to blindness. As they investigated his claims, the agents further discovered that Woodall had obtained a Nebraska concealed handgun carry permit. That permit requires the person to possess at least the same level of sight as is required to obtain a driver’s license, and the person must pass a written test and a shooting test to demonstrate accuracy with a firearm. Local police reports also listed Woodall as a witness to a few events reported to police in South Sioux City, Nebraska. During surveillance, agents regularly observed Woodall driving and walking around without difficulty and without any aids.

An eye examination was performed on August 13, 2020, to determine Woodall’s eligibility for benefits. Woodall was observed by agents driving approximately 86 miles from his home in South Sioux City, Nebraska to the facility where the eye exam was to take place in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The agents also observed his wife riding as a passenger in the vehicle. Woodall drove to the facility without any apparent difficulty, parked his car, and then walked to the front door and into the facility without any assistance or aids. During the eye exam, Woodall reported that due to his blindness, he was unable to drive.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Dante Stabler, 23, of Walthill, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 9, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Stabler to 72 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Stabler’s release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.

On February 22, 2023, on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation, Stabler and another man got into an altercation over Stabler allegedly taking a vehicle from the other man without his permission. The man confronted Stabler and Stabler fired a handgun at the man as he approached him. The man continued to approach Stabler and the two ended up in a physical altercation, falling into the open door of a minivan. The minivan, driven by an unknown person, sped away with the two still struggling. Stabler fired the gun again, shooting the man in the pinky finger. The man was able to get out of the moving van and then went to the hospital. The initial altercation and the two falling into the van were caught on video by another witness.

This case was charged in federal court because an assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country is a felony level assault under the Major Crimes Act.   

This case was investigated by Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services and the FBI.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Valerie Braswell, 43, and Michael Braswell, 42, of Taos, New Mexico, were sentenced February 9, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Valerie Braswell to 30 months’ imprisonment, and Michael Braswell to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Valerie’s release from prison, she will begin a 2-year term of supervised release. After Michael’s release he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.  

On May 31, 2022, law enforcement utilized a cooperating witness who arranged for the delivery of 5 kilograms of methamphetamine to an Omaha location. Surveillance officers observed the Braswells arrive at the meet location in a vehicle where Michael exited the vehicle, removed a bag from the backseat and delivered it to the cooperating witness. Valerie was identified as the driver from surveillance cameras. The cooperating witness was wearing a recording device that captured Michael handing him a box containing 5 pounds of meth.

On July 10, 2022, the Braswells were stopped in Missouri and found in possession of approximately 3 grams of meth and a firearm (found on the passenger seat where Michael was sitting). After their arrest, Michael admitted they were coming back from a methamphetamine delivery and had made at least 4 other trips delivering approximately 10-15 pounds of methamphetamine on each trip. Valerie denied any knowledge of methamphetamine but did admit to going on prior trips with Michael.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Alexander Horse, 22, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 9, 2024 in federal court in Lincoln for being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Horse to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Horse’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On September 5, 2022, around 3:35 am, Horse was dropped off at a McDonald’s parking lot in Lincoln just before another car arrived. Two occupants with firearms got out and began shooting at Horse who retreated on foot through the drive-through. Circumstantial evidence collected by police showed that Horse returned fire with his own gun. The two individuals shooting at Horse fled the scene before police arrived. A witness at the scene said Horse asked her to hide his gun from police after the shooting. Police arrived, located the gun in the witness’s car, and found it to be a Beretta model 950 BS semiautomatic .25 caliber pistol. The gun was covered in Horse’s blood according to DNA analysis. Two different calibers of casings were collected at the scene; three were .25 caliber. Ballistics analysis confirmed the .25 caliber casings were fired from Horse’s Beretta model 950 BS semiautomatic .25 caliber pistol. Horse was shot multiple times and suffered injuries from the shooting. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Horse’s phone and located videos showing Horse shooting firearms on occasions other than September 5. 

At the time of the crime, Horse was a convicted felon out of Lancaster County, Nebraska, and was serving a term of post-release supervision for those felony convictions. As a felon, he was not permitted to possess a firearm. Horse’s sentence was enhanced because he possessed more than three firearms, and at least one was a semi-automatic firearm capable of accepting a large capacity magazine.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department and the FBI. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jennifer Norwood, age 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 9, 2024, in federal Court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to tamper with documents or proceedings, conspiracy to assault a witness, and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Norwood to 37 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Norwood’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

In the fall of 2021, Johnny Dolph (hereinafter “Dolph”) was being investigated by the United States Secret Service for financial crimes to include crimes involving counterfeit currency and checks. Dolph claims to be a “shot caller” in the Irish Mob Gang, a street gang that originated in Oklahoma. In September 2021, Victim 1’s husband came to Nebraska to assist Dolph in his forgery activities. Victim 1’s husband was stopped by the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office in September 2021 and found to be in possession of numerous forgery related items to include counterfeit currency, forged Treasury checks, and document making implements. Following Victim 1’s husband’s arrest, Dolph and Jennifer Norwood A/K/A Jennifer Dolph (hereinafter “Norwood”) began contacting Victim 1 in attempts to prevent her from cooperating with law enforcement. Dolph believed Victim 1 and Victim 1’s husband were cooperating with law enforcement. As a result, Dolph put a “green light” on Victim 1 and her husband. Victim 1 reported receiving threatening communications from Dolph and Norwood. Dolph, Norwood, and others began researching and attempting to locate where Victim 1 was located.

In the fall of 2021, Norwood conducted a straw-purchase for Dolph a Hi-Point C9 9mm handgun from gunbroker.com. The transfer was completed on October 25, 2021. A straw purchase is an illegal purchase of a firearm by one person for another. Dolph was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to eleven felony convictions in Oklahoma and Kansas as well as due to two misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in Kansas.

In October 2021, a search warrant was obtained through the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska for Dolph’s apartment in Omaha. This search warrant was signed by a United States magistrate judge  and the affiant for the warrant was a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service. 

Following the execution of the search warrant, Dolph and Norwood began researching the affiant agent and magistrate judge listed on the search warrant. Dolph and Norwood also reached out to individuals outside of Nebraska providing information about Victim 1, where Victim 1 resides, and where family members of Victim 1 lived.

On November 19, 2021, Dolph contacted Kate Ruth A/K/A Kate Winter A/K/A Kate Hill (hereinafter “Ruth”) and requested that she travel from Kansas to Omaha, Nebraska to attempt to carry out his “green light” on Victim 1. Dolph instructed Ruth to go to Greyhound and attempt to pick up a ticket that had been purchased in a third party’s name. Ruth was instead driven to Nebraska from Kansas by Gibson.  Gibson obtained a red pickup truck to drive she and Ruth to Omaha. During the drive to Nebraska, Dolph sent Gibson and Ruth money for gas over CashApp, inquired to the status of their travel, and provided directions on where to park once they arrived at his apartment. Dolph and Norwood let Gibson and Ruth stay at their apartment in Omaha. While there, Dolph, Norwood, Gibson, and Ruth researched Victim 1. At Dolph’s direction, Ruth and Gibson drove to a residence in Omaha at which Victim 1 was believed to be staying.

On March 1, 2022, law enforcement attempted to arrest Dolph on a state warrant. Dolph was located and the Hi-Point C9 9mm handgun that Norwood had illegally purchased for him was recovered.

Following his arrest on the state warrant, Dolph was Federally indicted for the firearms charges and was incarcerated at the Douglas County Correctional Center. On March 30, 2022, at 19:58 hours and at 20:14 hours, Dolph called Norwood. Dolph used his assigned inmate PIN number and called Norwood at her known phone number. Inmates are advised that all non-attorney calls are recorded. In the calls, Norwood told Dolph that she was going to their trailer per his earlier request. The trailer was later identified and located at a storage facility in Omaha. Dolph then provided step-by-step instructions over the phone to Norwood on how to retrieve an item that was concealed in an air compressor in the trailer. Dolph instructed Norwood to burn the item using gasoline and a blow torch. During the call, Dolph was very agitated that the item be destroyed and said it will send him to prison. Dolph also expressed concern that Norwood did not destroy it and was going to turn it over to law enforcement. Dolph then asked Norwood to take a picture of the item burning to prove to him that she destroyed it. An image of the item burning was found on Norwood’s phone.

The individual from Kansas was sentenced in 2022 to time-served after serving a nine-month sentence for possession of counterfeit currency and possession of a document making implement or authentication feature and is currently serving a five-year term of supervised release. On August 17, 2023, Dolph was sentenced to a total of 150 months’ imprisonment for felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm following a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; 2 counts of false statement during the purchase of a firearm; conspiracy to tamper with documents or proceedings; tampering with documents or proceedings; 2 counts of conspiracy to assault a witness; and 2 counts for attempted assault of a witness.  On November 21, 2023, Gibson was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to assault a witness and attempted assault of a witness. Ruth is currently pending trial and are presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the Omaha Police Department, and the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jose Alfredo Ek-Poot, 51, of San Francisco, California, was sentenced on February 8, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana with the intent to distribute. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Ek-Poot to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ek-Poot is released from prison, he will begin a four-year term of supervised release.

On November 4, 2021, Ek-Poot, along with Esteban Dejesus Huerta Rocha and Ricardo Jiminez-Noveno, were traveling east on Interstate 80 near Grand Island when they were stopped by a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol for driving at 87 mph in a 75-mph zone. Rocha was the driver, Jiminez-Noveno was the front seat passenger, and Ek-Poot was seated in the back. When the trooper approached the car, he could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the car and he saw a bag of marijuana inside the car. When troopers searched the car, a mason jar containing marijuana was located in the front passenger door compartment. A backpack containing a methamphetamine pipe was discovered on the front passenger floorboard. Rocha was searched and he had a small bag of cocaine in his pocket. In the trunk, troopers found approximately 8.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 5.5 pounds of marijuana, and 10.8 ounces of cocaine.

Ek-Poot pleaded guilty on November 3, 2023. Jiminez-Noveno pleaded guilty on August 30, 2022, and was sentenced on November 22, 2022, to a 156-month term of imprisonment, and a 5-year term of supervised release. Rocha pleaded guilty on July 6, 2022, and was sentenced on October 7, 2022, to a 135-month term of imprisonment, and five years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Keland A. Strong, 21, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 8, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for his participation in a firearms conspiracy in the furtherance of drug trafficking. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Strong to 72 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Strong’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

Co-defendant Rodolfo Falcon owned a house that was the central location for the distribution of marijuana, marijuana derivatives, and cocaine. Falcon rented that house out to several younger drug dealers including Kenneth Blair, Alexis Bernal-Lopez, and Keland Strong.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force performed a search of the residence on November 30, 2021, and recovered cocaine, marijuana, currency, drug paraphernalia, and several firearms. Falcon, who has a distinctive tattoo on his hand, was seen in photos posing with firearms. One of the firearms shown in the picture was recovered from the residence. Agents also located a stolen firearm and AR15 rifle. 

At the time of the search, Blair was in the basement of the residence along with two apparent narcotics customers. Drugs and cash were also recovered from that location. Strong was located in an upstairs room that contained numerous firearms. Falcon lived on the main level of the home where agents recovered cash, cocaine. and personal identification documents. Evidence of significant marijuana distribution such as wrappers for large quantities of marijuana were also recovered. This along with the text messages between the group members revealed that the home was being used as a main distribution hub and that Majok Bethow, Bernal-Lopez, Strong, and Blair all worked together to sell drugs, particularly marijuana to “serves” (their code word for narcotics purchasers) and would drive each other to sales and work together to get the right types of THC cartridges and marijuana to customers.

On September 28, 2023, Bethow: pleaded guilty to firearms conspiracy in the furtherance of drug trafficking and was sentenced on January 11, 2024, to 24 months’ imprisonment to run concurrent with a federal case charging him with possessing a machinegun.

On September 28, 2023, Blair pleaded guilty to firearms conspiracy and was sentenced December 21, 2023, to 21 months’ imprisonment.

On October 27, 2023, Falcon pleaded guilty to firearms conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  He was sentenced on January 19, 2024, to 24 months’ imprisonment.

On November 20, 2023, Bernal Lopez pleaded guilty to firearms conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Sentencing is set for February 16, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Robert E. Kaczmarek, age 55, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 9, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for Production of Child Pornography. Chief District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Kaczmarek to 324 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Kaczmarek’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. As part of his sentence, Kaczmarek was ordered to pay $105,214.50 in restitution.

“So many words – horrific, egregious, unthinkable, inhuman—all these words apply here”, said Chief Judge Rossiter in pronouncing the sentence. “What was done to this young lady…I seldom see it.”

In December 2021, a foster mother in Omaha, Nebraska, reported that her 16-year-old female foster daughter (hereinafter identified as “the victim”) had not come home as expected and the foster mother was concerned that the victim was having an inappropriate relationship with someone around 40 years old named “Rob.” The foster mother provided Snapchat messages of a sexual nature between “Rob” and the victim. The messages included the victim sending photographs of herself in lingerie to “Rob.”

On June 30, 2022, Kaczmarek reported to the child abuse hotline/ the victim’s caseworker that the victim was being sexually abused by a friend of Kaczmarek’s.

On July 6, 2022, the victim disclosed in a forensic interview that she was involved in a sexual relationship with Kaczmarek, who she described as being 53 years old. The victim stated that she met Kaczmarek through a friend approximately one year prior and that originally Kaczmarek provided her with marijuana, but their relationship turned into exchanging sex for drugs. The victim described being actively addicted to drugs and stated that Kaczmarek would supply cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, and mushrooms in exchange for the victim engaging in sex with him and completing household tasks such as cleaning. The victim also stated that Kaczmarek would pay for the victim to get her hair and nails done.

The victim stated that she felt obligated to engage in the sexual activity and that Kaczmarek would become agitated and aggressive if she did not. The victim stated that she feared Kaczmarek would hurt her, his daughter, his dogs, or someone else. The victim stated that sometimes Kaczmarek would be gone for hours and would return with blood on his hands and clothes and would clean his vehicle. Kaczmarek talked about taking people to “the farm” and threatened to take the victim to the farm. The victim stated the people Kaczmarek took to the farm did not return and Kaczmarek talked about calling a buddy to help carry a body to the farm. Kaczmarek also talked about having a chemical in his truck that would disintegrate things.

The victim stated she had tried to get away from Kaczmarek at times, but he would become like a stalker and would not leave her alone. The victim discussed an incident where Kaczmarek was angry at her and told her that she was lucky she was female because otherwise he would have “curb stomped” her and taken her to the farm and thrown her in a hole. The victim stated that Kaczmarek had slapped her, burnt her, pushed her, and thrown stuff at her. The victim stated that Kaczmarek had cameras in his bedroom and would get mad if the victim covered up the camera.

On August 8, 2022, the Omaha Police Department learned that the victim had left her guardian’s residence in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, in a white Jeep Gladiator. Ring Doorbell video showed the Jeep pull up to the house, the minor get into the vehicle, and the vehicle drive away. The guardian advised that he believed the driver of the vehicle to be Kaczmarek based on the vehicle and the fact that the victim had called him after leaving and stated that Kaczmarek was driving the victim to take her cat to the vet. The victim did not return.

Messages later recovered from Kaczmarek’s phone suggested that Kaczmarek took the victim to Missouri and left her there for two days before returning her to Omaha and moving her between various properties.

On August 22, 2022, officers executed a search warrant at Kaczmarek’s residence. There was a camera set up in Kaczmarek’s bedroom as described by the victim. Kaczmarek was located at another location. Kaczmarek stated that the victim was at a residence with of an acquaintance of Kaczmarek. Kaczmarek stated that this individual did work for Kaczmarek. Kaczmarek was taken under arrest. When arrested, Kaczmarek was found to be in possession of a plastic shopping bag containing approximately 15 grams of marijuana, approximately 15.5 grams of methamphetamine, and approximately 3 grams of cocaine (all weights with packaging).

The minor was located in a dirty cellar with boarded-up windows and only a hand-held light source. The victim was observed to be under the influence of methamphetamines and weighing approximately 88 lbs. The victim reported feeling suicidal while in the basement.

During an interview after his arrest, Kaczmarek admitted that he had been in contact with the victim ever since picking her up on August 8, 2022. Kaczmarek also admitted that the victim had sent him nude images of herself.

Officers executed search warrants for Kaczmarek’s Google account and cell phone. Within Kaczmarek’s account and on his device, investigators located numerous pictures of the victim in lingerie, exposing her breasts and genital area. Investigators also located videos of the victim engaged in sexual acts. One video depicts the victim restrained and engaged in a sexual act.

Lieutenant Tara Ackerson with the Omaha Police Department stated following Kaczmarek’s sentence, “The crimes committed by Kaczmarek are heinous and inconceivable. The sentence that was imposed upon him today sends the message that preying on our youth will not be tolerated. The Omaha Police Department is pleased to see such a strong sentence. We will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure that those involved in sex trafficking are held accountable.”

“The sentence imposed by Chief Judge Rossiter sends a message that the horrendous crimes committed by Kaczmarek have no place in our society,” said United States Attorney Susan Lehr, “The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively prosecute those individuals that take advantage of some of the most vulnerable in society.” 

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Troy Brewer, 50, formerly of Fremont, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 8, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Brewer to 30 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Brewer’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.

In the early morning hours of August 2, 2022, Brewer was in his vehicle when he was contacted by Fremont Police.  Based upon their observations, the officers searched the vehicle and found a pill bottle near the driver’s door.  Inside the bottle was 14 grams of actual methamphetamine.  They searched the car further and found Ziploc baggies in the center console and a digital scale with drug residue on it inside a backpack.  When Brewer pled guilty, he admitted he knew the drugs were in the vehicle and that he intended to distribute them.

This case was investigated by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office and the Fremont Police Department.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jeron Messersmith, 29, formerly of McCook, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 7, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for attempted production of child pornography and production of child pornography. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Messersmith to 372 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Messersmith’s release from prison, he will begin a 20-year term of supervised release. Additionally, Messersmith was ordered to pay $9,000 in restitution.

In February of 2021, Messersmith’s cellphone was downloaded and reviewed as part of a child sex assault investigation. While reviewing the phone, law enforcement discovered child pornography. Law enforcement additionally found numerous text messages and social media conversations between Messersmith and several minor females. In the conversations, Messersmith often requested sexually explicit files from each minor and engaged in romantic and sexual conversations. Photos or videos of each of the minor victims were located on Messersmith’s phone. Pursuant to some of the messages, Messersmith had attempted to travel to another state to engage in sexual relations with one of the minor females.

This case was investigated by the McCook Police Department and brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Royce Love, 45, of Kearney, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 2, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for receipt of child pornography.  Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Love to 84 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Love is released from prison, he will begin an 8-year term of supervised release.

Love was contacted online by a vigilante group who posed as a minor female. A conversation ensued in which the group attempted to get Love to agree to meet with the minor female for a sex act. Ultimately, Love stopped communicating with the account and blocked it without ever agreeing to meet. The group then confronted Love in person at his residence and called police.

Love agreed to allow to law enforcement to search his phone. When the search was performed, police discovered multiple images of child pornography involving minor females. Police contacted Love again about a week later when the search was complete. After being advised of the Miranda warnings, Love was asked about the images. Love said he could not remember exactly where he had obtained the images, but he did acknowledge receiving them over the internet.

Additional electronic devices were seized after the second interview. When those devices were searched, police located additional images depicting children engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

This case was investigated by the Kearney Police Department and brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Angelica Agena, 41, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 6, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Agena to 54 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, Agena will be required to complete a 5-year term of supervised release. A federal jury convicted Agena of these charges on November 11, 2023.

On June 29, 2022, Lancaster County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a red Camaro for having an inoperable taillight. Neither the driver, Gary Payton, nor the passenger, Agena, had a valid driver’s license. A deputy observed an open alcoholic beverage container behind the passenger seat. Deputies thereafter searched the Camaro and its contents.

During the search, one of the deputies opened Agena’s purse which was left on the floor on the front passenger side when she was asked out of the car. The deputy found a large gallon-sized bag containing suspected methamphetamine inside the purse. Deputies performed a field test on the substance in the bag and presumptively confirmed that the substance was methamphetamine. The deputies also seized Payton’s and Agena’s phones as evidence.  Information from the phones revealed Agena and Payton’s involvement in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in the Lincoln and Omaha areas.

The suspected methamphetamine from the vehicle was sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory for confirmatory testing. The lab confirmed the that the bag found in Agena’s purse contained approximately 7 ounces of methamphetamine, a quantity intended for distribution.

In a separate Indictment, Gary Payton pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to imprisonment for 72 months on June 6, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, the Lincoln Police Department, and the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Tarra Arcos, 47, and Glenda Aguilar, 67, both of Grand Island, Nebraska, were sentenced on Monday, February 5, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Arcos to 132 months’ imprisonment; and Aguilar to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Arcos and Aguilar are released from prison, each will begin an 8-year term of supervised release. Approximately $66,000 in United States currency was forfeited to the United States as part of sentencing.

In March of 2023, investigators made a controlled purchase of meth from Glenda Aguilar at the residence of Tarra Arcos, Aguilar’s daughter.  During this transaction, Aguilar stated that Arcos could supply a larger amount of meth.

The following day, investigators executed a search warrant at Arcos’ residence where they seized over 10 ounces of meth and approximately $66,000 in United States currency.

Tarra Arcos and Glenda Aguilar both have a prior federal conviction for selling meth.

This case was investigated by the Tri-Cities Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT) Task Force which is made up of officers from the Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Hastings Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jacqueline R. Brandt, 44, of Minden, Iowa, was sentenced on January 31, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for bank fraud. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Brandt to time served and five years of supervised release and ordered that she pay $64,102.52 in restitution. Brandt will be required to pay at least $1,000 per month toward restitution during her sixty-month term of supervised release. 

During approximately November 2019 to July 2022, Brandt used her access as a Foundation One Bank employee to embezzle funds from customers’ accounts and to steal cash from the bank. Brandt fraudulently obtained a total of approximately $118,337.52, of which Foundation One Bank was able to recover $54,235.   

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jose Salvador Perez, 27, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced February 2, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for two charges – (1) conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine and (2) possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Perez to 168 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Perez’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

Omaha police received information from a cooperator that co-defendant Miguel Avalos-Diaz was distributing meth and cocaine. Police used the cooperator to make three “controlled buys” from Avalos-Diaz in February and March of 2022.

After the third drug deal, police searched a residence in south Omaha near Bellevue on March 30, 2022. Inside, officers encountered and arrested Avalos-Diaz and Perez. Police seized approximately 2.5 pounds of meth, more than $36,000 in cash, and a loaded .45-caliber handgun. Officers also found evidence of cocaine distribution in the residence, including six digital scales, cutting agents, a vacuum sealer, and small amounts of cocaine packaged in baggies. Review of both defendants’ Facebook messages dating back to December 2021 revealed a conspiracy to distribute meth and cocaine throughout the time period of the messages.

A total of $36,598 in cash has been forfeited to the United States as proceeds of illegal drug trafficking. An Audi sedan, registered to Perez and driven by Avalos-Diaz to the controlled buys, has also been forfeited as property that facilitated illegal drug trafficking.

Avalos-Diaz, 27, of Omaha was sentenced to 260 months’ imprisonment on November 30, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Wendi Reich, 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced February 1, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Reich to 90 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Reich’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On December 13, 2021, Omaha Police officers executed a search warrant on Wendi Reich’s Omaha residence and recovered 300 grams of meth from her possession. The investigation revealed that Reich was being supplied pound quantities of meth by codefendant Cornejo-Lopez, who pled guilty and was sentenced to 400 months’ imprisonment on October 25, 2023. 

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Allan J. Love, Jr., 50, of Arlington, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 31, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for attempting to disable railroad equipment. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Love to 12 months’ and 1 day imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Love’s release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.

On September 3, 2019, west of the 16th Street railroad crossing in Blair, Nebraska, a Union Pacific Railroad track maintenance worker discovered an approximately 6-foot-long green metal pipe lodged in the space between the railroad track switch bar and rail, making it impossible to fully move the switch into position.

Through investigation and law enforcement contacts with Love, law enforcement seized a green metal pipe found in Love’s pickup truck on April 30, 2020.  Forensics performed on the green pipe found lodged in the railroad track and the green pipe found in Love’s truck determined the paints used on both pipes were indistinguishable in color, texture, and chemical composition.  A metallurgy examination of the pipes determined that both were sections of welded, low-carbon steel tube with similar outer diameter, wall thickness, and weld manufacturing features.

Law enforcement also executed a search warrant on Love’s Google account.  Within the Google account law enforcement found a photo taken on July 20, 2019, of the 16th Street railroad crossing in Blair showing the stretch of railroad track where the green pipe was found.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Tut Chuol, 43, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced on January 31, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Chuol to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Chuol’s release from prison, he will begin a four-year term of supervised release.

On December 2, 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) intercepted a package at UPS Next Day Air that had been shipped from Arizona to Omaha. A narcotics trained canine indicated to the package. It was opened and the package contained 1,000 M30 pills that tested positive for fentanyl. A controlled delivery of the package was made to the addressee. A search of the addressee’s phone and Snapchat messages led to the identification Chuol as being the individual that sent the package.

A warrant was issued for Chuol’s arrest. On February 8, 2023, DEA agents went to Chuol’s residence in Phoenix to make the arrest. Chuol was home and taken into custody without incident. A search of his residence by law enforcement located two pounds of methamphetamine and two firearms.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Israel Robledo-Cardenas, 48, of Michoacan, Mexico, was sentenced January 31, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Robledo-Cardenas to 120 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge, and a consecutive 60 months’ imprisonment on the gun charge. After Robledo-Cardenas’s release from prison, he will be deported to Mexico as he is not a United States citizen.

On November 15, 2022, a Butler County Deputy Sheriff observed Robledo-Cardenas driving a vehicle in Rising City, Nebraska. At the time the Deputy knew Robledo-Cardenas did not have a valid operator’s license. After a traffic stop, Robledo-Cardenas gave a false name and was placed under arrest. His vehicle was towed to an indoor facility where a canine was deployed and alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from within. A subsequent search revealed 104 grams of meth along with a 9 mm handgun in a compartment behind the center console.

This case was investigated by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and the Columbus Police Department.  

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Robert Peck Jr., 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on Thursday, January 25, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for felon in possession of a firearm and possession of less than 50 kilograms of marijuana. Senior United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Peck to 46 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Peck’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

In July 2020, the Omaha Police Department received multiple Crime Stoppers tips regarding Peck selling narcotics and possessing firearms despite his felon status. While executing a search warrant of Peck’s apartment in Omaha, law enforcement seized over a pound of marijuana and four firearms. Peck had previously been convicted of a felony for possession of more than a pound of marijuana and was prohibited from possessing firearms.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that a federal jury on January 25, 2024, returned verdicts against Donnale Clay, 40, of Tacoma, Washington. The jury found Clay not guilty of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and guilty of felon in possession of a firearm. The jury also found Clay guilty of the lesser-included offense of possession of methamphetamine. The verdicts followed a two-day trial in front of United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher. Judge Buescher scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2024. Clay faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for the firearm conviction and a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 days up to two years for the drug charge.

The evidence at trial established that on April 27, 2022, interdiction officers with a DEA task force were conducting routine surveillance at the Omaha bus terminal when a bus from Denver arrived. Officers visually examined the luggage compartment and noticed a suspicious suitcase. Officers set the suitcase next to the bus to observe if anyone would pick it up. Clay came and retrieved the suitcase. During a consensual conversation, the officer noticed other suspicious factors about Clay’s travel. Clay told the officer he was travelling from Tacoma to St. Paul, Minnesota. After granting consent to search the suitcase, Clay ran away. He was taken into custody after a short pursuit.

A search of the suitcase uncovered three handguns, including a loaded .38-caliber Colt semi-automatic. A search of a backpack Clay had been wearing uncovered about 689 grams (1.51 pounds) of methamphetamine, about 60 grams (weight with packaging) of fentanyl pills, and an Airsoft pistol.

After the jury returned the guilty verdicts on the two charges, it found that Clay had a prior conviction for a drug offense, enhancing his minimum and maximum sentences for the possession charge.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Nebraska State Patrol. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office conducted forensic testing of the drugs. An agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also testified.

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that on January 23, 2024, an operation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Nebraska State Patrol led to the arrest of 19 people and the unsealing of at least nine indictments. Those arrested and a summary of their charges and the penalties include the following.

An indictment was unsealed charging Alejandro Ruiz (age 41), of California, Guadalupe Ramirez (38) of North Platte, Roberto Duran (33) of Brule, Michael Shawn Harrell (47) of Ogallala, Eduardo Gomez (33) of North Platte and Carl McKinney (37) from Kentucky, with conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine between January of 2021, and January of 2022. A conviction on that charge carries a possible penalty of not less than 10 years to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million; and a term of supervised release not less than five years. Ramirez, Gomez, and Harrell also face charges of possessing a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  If convicted, they each face a term of imprisonment of five years to life, consecutive to the drug charge; a $250,000 fine and up to 5 years of supervised release.  Harrell was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. A conviction of that charge carries a penalty of not more than 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and up to three years of supervised release.

An indictment was unsealed charging Jamie Hopkins (37), Michael Stroble (30); Joey Romero (36), and Luke Schwartz (30) all of North Platte, with conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) and distribution of meth between July 2022 through February of 2023. The penalties are not less than 10 years to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million; and a term of supervised release not less than five years.

An indictment was unsealed charging Jessica Binegar (37) of North Platte, John Hernandez (35) of Lincoln and Brad Leeper (46) of North Platte with distribution of 5 grams or more of meth (actual) between March and June of 2022.  Leeper was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The possible penalties for distribution are not less than five years, nor more than 40 years in prison; a fine of up to $5 million; and a term of supervised release following the prison term of not less than four years.

Wesley Kraft (36) of Lincoln, was charged with distribution of five grams or more of meth (actual) during April of 2023 and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Timothy Huisman (39) of North Platte, was charged with distribution of five grams or more of meth (actual) in February of 2023.

Shane Ross (46) of Ogallala, was charged with distribution of five grams or more of meth (actual) in July of 2022.

Richard Torres (44) of Brule, was charged with conspiracy and distribution of more than five grams of meth (actual) between December 2021 and August of 2022.

Timothy Maisner (62) of North Platte, with possession with intent to distribute of 50 grams of more of methamphetamine (actual) and distribution of methamphetamine during January and July of 2023. 

Eddie Houpt (59) of North Platte, was charged with distribution of five grams or more of meth (actual) in June of 2022.

To report tips on drug trafficking, please contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or 402-492-8688 or the Nebraska Crime Stoppers tipline at 1-800-422-1494.

These cases were investigated by the CODE Task Force which is made up of law enforcement agencies throughout a 22-county area in west-central/southwest Nebraska and includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, North Platte Police Department, Lexington Police Department, and Army National Guard Counter Drug Unit.  The investigation and arrests were also assisted by the U.S. Postal Service, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Ogallala Police Department, La Vista Police Department, the Tri-Cities Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT) Task Force, the Western Intelligence Narcotics Group (WING) Task Force, the Capitol Region Safe Streets Task Force (CRSSTF), the Lincoln/Lancaster County Metro Fugitive Task Force, the Lincoln and Keith County Attorney’s Offices, and Nebraska District 11 Probation Office.  

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF)

operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal

organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven,

multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at

https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Nicole D. Hamzeh, 32 of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on January 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Hamzeh to 54 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After Hamzeh’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. 

On December 11, 2021, law enforcement observed a 2018 Dodge Charger driving in Omaha without valid license plates. Officers initiated a valid traffic stop and made contact with Hamzeh, the driver of the vehicle, and her passenger, Randall Bates.

Officers smelled marijuana emanating from the vehicle and Hamzeh also reported to the officer that there was a fireball whiskey ‘shooter’ open in the vehicle.  Hamzeh indicated that she had borrowed the vehicle from a friend and did not have the registration, but when officers ran a data check on the vehicle, the system showed that the vehicle was reported stolen.  Hamzeh’s driver’s license was suspended, and Bates had an outstanding arrest warrant. 

Officers arrested Hamzeh and located 184 grams of actual meth on her person.    During a post-Miranda interview with law enforcement, Hamzeh admitted that she had been trafficking 6 pounds of meth during the prior 3 weeks—to include the 184 grams of actual meth seized.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jose Arevale-Villalobos, 39, of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced January 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter sentenced Arevalo-Villalobos to 151 months’ imprisonment. After Arevalo-Villalobos’s release from prison, he will be deported to Mexico as he is not a United States citizen.

On May 19, 2022, Omaha Police officers executed a search warrant on a South Omaha residence after obtaining information that 5 pounds of meth was located inside. The search revealed one pound of meth hidden in a bedroom that officers determined had been occupied by Arevalo-Villalobos. Another four pounds of meth was found in a storage room and a gun was found in the basement.

On May 27, 2022, Arevalo-Villalobos was arrested in Omaha after being found in possession of a controlled substance. During a post-arrest interview, Arevalo-Villalobos was asked about the May 19, 2022, search warrant and admitted to handling the one-pound package of meth found in the room he had been staying in.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Ivan Lima-Olivarria, 43, of Nayarit, Mexico, was sentenced January 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter sentenced Lima-Olivarria to 96 months’ imprisonment. Lima-Olivarria also forfeited any claim he had to $14,770 in U.S. currency seized during his arrest. After Lima-Olivarria’s release from prison, he will be deported to Mexico as he is not a United States citizen.

On November 23, 2022, law enforcement went to a Bellevue motel room after receiving information that a Hispanic male was staying there with more than 2 pounds of meth. Officers contacted Ivan Lima-Olivarria after knocking on the motel room door. Lima-Olivarria was found to be the sole occupant and gave consent to search the room.  Officers located approximately 11.5lbs of meth and $14,770 in cash. It was determined that Lima-Olivarria was in the country illegally and had previously been deported for a drug offence. A search of cell phones found in the motel room revealed drug related content during the last year.

This case was investigated by the Bellevue Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Rodolfo C. Falcon, 45, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced January 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for his participation in a firearms conspiracy in the furtherance of drug trafficking. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Falcon to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Falcon’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

Rodolfo Falcon owned a house that was the central location for the distribution of marijuana, marijuana derivatives, and cocaine. Falcon rented that house out to several younger drug dealers including Kenneth Blair, Alexis Bernal-Lopez, and Keland Strong.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force performed a search of the residence and recovered cocaine, marijuana, currency, drug paraphernalia, and several firearms. Falcon, who has a distinctive tattoo on his hand, was seen in photos posing with firearms. One of the firearms shown in the picture was recovered from the residence. Agents also located a stolen firearm and AR15 rifle. 

At the time of the search, Kenneth Blair was in the basement of the residence along with two apparent narcotics customers. Drugs and cash were also recovered from that location. Keland Strong used an upstairs room that contained numerous firearms. Falcon lived on the main level of the home where agents recovered cash, cocaine. and personal identification documents. Evidence of significant marijuana distribution such as wrappers for large quantities of marijuana were also recovered. This, along with the text messages between the group members revealed that the home was being used as a main distribution hub and that Bethow, Bernal-Lopez, Strong, and Blair all worked together to sell drugs, particularly marijuana to ‘serves’ (their code word for narcotics purchasers) and would drive each other to sales and work together to get the right types of THC cartridges and marijuana to customers.

On September 28, 2023, Majok Bethow: pled guilty to firearms conspiracy in the furtherance of drug trafficking and was sentenced on January 11, 2024, to 24 months imprisonment to run concurrently with a federal case charging him with possessing a machinegun.

On September 28, 2023, Kenneth Blair pled guilty to firearms conspiracy and was sentenced December 21, 2023 to 21 months imprisonment.

On November 17, 2023, Keland Strong pled guilty to firearms conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; sentencing is set for February 8, 2024.

On November 20, 2023, Alexis Bernal Lopez pled guilty to firearms conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; sentencing is set for February 16, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Oscar Ulises Quiroz Ayon, 32 of Mexico was sentenced January 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for his participation in a methamphetamine and fentanyl drug conspiracy. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Ayon to 33 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After Ayon’s release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release. 

Beginning in August 2021 and continuing to November 4, 2021, Ayon agreed with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 50 grams of meth actual and over 100 grams of fentanyl analogue.

Throughout the day on November 4, 2021, agents conducted surveillance on Ayon’s codefendant Colleen Wiand. That afternoon, Wiand drove to the Supermercado, located at 3548 Q Street, in Omaha, where she parked.

Shortly after, Ayon arrived in the parking lot, parking next to Wiand..  Ayon placed an item in Wiand’s car then both cars departed.  Omaha Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop in Wiand’s car and recovered a box containing approximately 13.4 pounds of pills marked ‘M-30,’ suspected fentanyl in pill form.  Wiand was then taken into custody.

Officers conducted a traffic stop on Ayon near 30th and Chandler Streets in Omaha. After receiving his Miranda warnings, Ayon admitted that approximately two months ago he arrived in Omaha from Sinaloa, Mexico for the specific purpose of receiving controlled substances.

The morning of November 4, 2021, Ayon admitted that he received a phone call from someone in Mexico who instructed him to go to the Casey’s located at 72nd and Grover Streets, in Omaha, to meet a white male who gave him a TV box. The same person in Mexico then told Ayon to meet a woman at the Supermercado located at 36th and Q and deliver the TV box.

The following codefendants have all previously pled guilty to the drug conspiracy and been sentenced:  Wiand, Mayra Rendon, Darbelio Lorenzo-Genchi, Iris Gallardo-Salado, Samantha Cawyer, Giovana Cisneros and Emidio Becerra.

This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and

transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Joseph S. Martin, 23, formerly of Hebron, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 18, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for distribution of child pornography after having previously been convicted of possession child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Martin to 20 years’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Martin’s release from prison, he will begin a 30-year term of supervised release. Judge Buescher ordered Martin to pay $24,000 in restitution.

On November 9, 2021, Homeland Security Investigations in Omaha received several cyber tips from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) and Nebraska State Patrol (NSP).  One such cyber tip included information forwarded by Facebook to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that related to child exploitation material distributed by a Facebook user on July 12, 2021.  Facebook identified the IP address and account that uploaded the suspected child pornography image.  Facebook confirmed the Facebook account username belonged to Joseph Martin. Additional investigative work determined the IP address and associated phone number belonged to Martin.  

Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Martin’s Facebook account which contained several images of child pornography.  When interviewed, Martin admitted to law enforcement that approximately 500 images of child pornography would be located on various cyber sites associated with him.

Martin was previously convicted on August 23, 2019 and March 19, 2021, of possession of child pornography, both in the Douglas County District Court, Douglas County, Nebraska.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Nebraska State Patrol.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Christopher Carreras, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 17, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for traveling with the intent to engage in sexual activity with a minor and possession of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Carreras to 168 months’ imprisonment for each count.  The sentences will run concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After Carreras’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. District Judge Buescher ordered Carreras to pay $3,000 in restitution.

Carreras began online chatting with the minor victim who was based in Texas. On February 26, 2022, Carreras traveled from Nebraska to Texas to meet up with the minor victim. After meeting face-to-face in a shopping mall, Carreras handed the minor victim his hotel room key. The minor victim used the key to enter his hotel room where the two engaged in sexual activity. Carreras traveled to meet up with the minor victim on other occasions in 2022. The minor victim ultimately reported what happened. The FBI obtained and executed a search warrant for Carreras’s residence in Nebraska on October 6, 2022, where electronic devices were seized.

Law enforcement review of the devices revealed records of online chat messages between Carreras, the minor victim, and at least one other apparent minor female. Through the chats, the minor victim communicated that they were about to turn 16 years old. Additionally, the review of the devices located known child pornography video files and images.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Johnny Bradford, age 52, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced on January 17, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for wire fraud. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Bradford to time served. Bradford will immediately begin a 3-year term of supervised release as a condition of his release, Bradford will serve a 6-month term of house arrest. Bradford was also ordered to pay $112,257.80 in restitution.

Roadrunner Temperature Controlled is the refrigerated trucking division of Roadrunner Transportation Systems and it is located in Sarpy County, Nebraska. Roadrunner Temperature Controlled (“Roadrunner”) uses Electronic Funds Source (“EFS”), an electronic wire transfer service, for their driver cash advances.

Amy Shepherd was employed by Roadrunner from July 25, 2016, through June 21, 2019. During her employment at Roadrunner, Shepherd, was a Customer Service Manager, Driver Business Leader Manager, and, most recently, a Dispatch Lead Manager. Shepherd was a Dispatch Lead Manager from October 13, 2018, to June 21, 2019. Shepherd worked remotely from her home in Kansas. Johnny Bradford II was a driver employed by Roadrunner from February 28, 2017, until May 4, 2018.

From February 1, 2018, through June 21, 2019, Shepherd, used her position with Roadrunner as a Dispatch Lead Manager to fraudulently generate advances and enter EFS check codes into Roadrunner’s accounting system. Shepherd characterized the advances as relating to legitimate business purposes, for example repairs, washouts, or trailer unloading. Shepherd entered the advances for current Roadrunner drivers. After generating the check code, Shepherd sent the check code to Bradford. Bradford filled out the EFS checks with the check code he received from Shepherd. Bradford then cashed the checks at vendor establishments. After Bradford received the funds, he would use Western Union to send portions of the money he received from the fraudulent driver advances back to Shepherd. One such wire occurred on June 9, 2019, when a check in the amount of $826.64 was initiated by Shepherd, in Kansas purportedly being for “TRL16452 Alternator” through Roadrunner’s accounting system in Nebraska, to Bradford in Nevada. As a result of the scheme and artifice to defraud, from February 1, 2018, through June 21, 2019, Shepherd and Bradford caused an actual loss of $112,257.80.

On November 30, 2023, codefendant Shepherd was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for her role in this crime.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Tevin T. Randolph, 23, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 17, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for being a felon in possession of ammunition. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Randolph to 16 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Randolph’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On May 21, 2023, at about 3:00 am, police dispatch received 911 calls. The callers reported hearing people yelling, followed by gun shots, and then glass breaking. Police responded to the apartment complex where Randolph lived. The window to his apartment was broken and soil was observed scattered inside and outside the apartment. Randolph was observed yelling when police arrived. The dispute, according to Randolph, was between him and two women.

Police observed a live round of ammunition on the carpet just inside the doorway to Randolph’s apartment. Randolph denied knowing it was there. Randolph agreed to allow police to search his apartment. When police later went to retrieve the round of ammunition, it was gone. They asked Randolph where it went, and he said he did not know. A later review of an officer’s body camera recording would show Randolph picking it up off the ground and putting it into his pocket. During the search of Randolph’s apartment, a Glock magazine, loaded with six rounds of 9mm ammunition was found in a drawer near a stove in the kitchen. Officers also discovered four fired shell casings on the ground near a sidewalk beneath Randolph’s balcony. The officers learned Randolph had an active warrant for his arrest. He was searched incident to his arrest and the round of ammunition which the officers had seen earlier on the floor in Randolph’s apartment was found in his pocket. Randolph was prohibited from possessing ammunition due to prior felony convictions for assaulting an officer and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Randolph pleaded guilty to his offense on October 19, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Vincent J. Palermo, 50, of Omaha, Nebraska, and Richard Gonzalez, 55, of Papillion, Nebraska, were sentenced on January 16, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Palermo to 18 months’ imprisonment and Gonzalez to 18 months’ imprisonment. Additionally, Palermo was sentenced to a consecutive 9-month term of imprisonment for a violation of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. After Palermo’s release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release. After Gonzalez’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Senior Judge Gerrard ordered Palermo to pay $10,292.28 in restitution and Gonzalez $66,749.35 in restitution.

From January 2018 to April 1, 2023, Palermo, while an Omaha City Councilman, received personal and financial benefits to include airfare, luxury hotel accommodations, travel arrangements, and other items of value in exchange for official actions.  These benefits were intended to influence Vincet Palermo’s actions as an Omaha City Councilman to benefit the Police Athletics for Community Engagement (PACE) and the Latino Peace Officers Association (LPOA). During this time, co-defendant Gonzalez was the Executive Director of PACE and a member of LPOA. Palermo failed to disclose to the City Counsel the private benefits that he was receiving while taking official acts for the benefit of LPOA and PACE.

From 2017 to April 1, 2023, Gonzalez conspired to defraud donors of the LPOA, the LPOA Board, and PACE for his own personal benefit.  Gonzalez, a retired Omaha Police Department Captain, without having full LPOA Board authority, conducted financial transactions for his personal benefit using LPOA funds.  LPOA funds were misused by Gonzalez for trips, meals, and gambling. Gonzalez also misused LPOA funds to purchase trips for friends and co-defendant Palermo, which included a trip to Las Vegas.

After Tuesday’s sentencings, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “Both former city councilman Vinny Palermo and former police officer Richard Gonzalez were entrusted to represent our communities' interest, but instead chose to betray that trust through their abuse of public office for personal gain. The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate, pursue, and hold accountable those who violate their oath of office to enrich themselves. Public corruption is a top criminal investigative priority for the FBI, and we encourage everyone in our community to continue to come forward and report abuses of public office.”

Co-defendant Johnny Palermo’s change of plea hearing is scheduled for January 18, 2024, in Lincoln. Co-defendant Jack Olson’s trial is scheduled for April 10, 2024, before Senior Judge Gerrard in Lincoln. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Anthony Jermaine Branch, 42, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 16, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Branch to 132 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Branch’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On three occasions in October of 2022, a confidential informant working with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force bought meth from another person who was seen by investigators going into Branch’s apartment before making the deliveries.  On a fourth occasion, the seller was seen meeting with Branch in a vehicle before making the delivery.  A total of 142.38 grams of meth was obtained over the course of these four buys.  Purity testing at the Nebraska State Patrol lab showed a total of at least 64 grams of actual methamphetamine.

On October 28, 2022, a search warrant was executed at Branch’s Lincoln apartment.  Before the warrant was executed, Branch was seen leaving his apartment as the passenger in a vehicle.  He was contacted at a convenience store and was found in possession of approximately 15 grams of meth and $480 in cash, $20 of which was later found to be Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force buy money.  During the search of Branch’s apartment, investigators found an additional 131 grams of meth.  Purity analysis showed at least 120 grams of actual meth.  Investigators also found $3850 in cash, $760 of which was later found to be Task Force buy money.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Majok Bethow, 24, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on January 11, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for illegal possession of a machine gun and participation in a firearms conspiracy in the furtherance of drug trafficking. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Bethow to 24 months’ imprisonment on each charge to run concurrently.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After Bethow’s release from prison, he will begin a concurrent 3-year term of supervised release.

On March 26, 2022, Omaha Police Department officers initiated a traffic stop southeast of South 32nd and Q Streets after they observed a vehicle without license plates. After pulling over the vehicle, the rear driver's side passenger door opened, and an occupant fled on foot.  Officers gave chase and the party, later identified as Bethow, was taken into custody.  A search of his person located a Glock 19X, 9 mm handgun loaded with a 24 round extended magazine containing 18 live rounds. The firearm slide had a black metal auto sear installed on the back of it, a “Glock switch,” that allowed it to function as a machinegun.

Bethow was also charged in a firearms conspiracy after law enforcement learned that codefendant Rodolfo Falcon owned a drug stash house that was the central location for the distribution of narcotics.  Falcon rented the house out to younger drug dealers who were also documented gang members:  codefendants Kenneth Blair, Alexis Bernal-Lopez, Majok Bethow, and Keland Strong each rented the residence from Falcon for some portion of the conspiracy.

The Safe Streets Task Force of the Greater Omaha area conducted a search of the residence and recovered cocaine, marijuana, currency, drug paraphernalia, and three firearms. Falcon was observed posing with one such firearm in photos of himself that were recovered during the search.  Flacon is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. 

At the time of the search, Kenneth Blair was in the basement of the residence, where text messages amongst the group confirmed was the portion of the house that Blair regularly occupied. Two apparent narcotics customers were located with Blair in the basement at the time of the search. Drugs and cash were also recovered from the basement. Keland Strong used an upstairs room that contained numerous firearms. Falcon was found on the main level of the home where cash and cocaine were recovered along with identification documents.

Evidence of significant marijuana distributions, such as wrappers for large quantities of marijuana were also recovered. This, along with text messages between the group, revealed that the home was being used as a narcotics distribution hub and that Bethow, Bernal-Lopez, Strong, and Blair all worked together to sell drugs.

Kenneth Blair pled guilty to firearms conspiracy and was sentenced on December 21, 2023, to 21 months imprisonment.

Codefendants Rodolfo Falcon, Keland Strong and Bernal-Lopez have all pled guilty to the firearms conspiracy.  Sentencing is scheduled for January 19, 2024, February 8, 2024, and February 16, 2024, respectively.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Melanie Margaret McDonald, 38, of Denver, Colorado, was sentenced January 11, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced McDonald to 135 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After McDonald’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On August 26, 2021, an Omaha traffic stop of two men resulted in the discovery of five pounds of meth and two firearms. Both men were arrested, indicted, and have since cooperated with law enforcement. Both men identified McDonald as one of the men's sources for pound quantities of methamphetamine dating back to October of 2020.

The investigation revealed Facebook messages where McDonald discussed the arrest of her co-conspirators, and all of their involvement in the drug conspiracy.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Richard Allan Knight, 53, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 10, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Knight to 210 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Knight’s release from prison, he will begin a 15-year term of supervised release. Judge Buescher ordered Knight to pay restitution in the amount of $3,000. Knight will also be required to register as a sex offender.

On June 29, 2021, an officer with the Omaha Police Department responded to a radio call of found property by the owner of a residence on Curtis Avenue, in Omaha.  Between May 2, 2021, and June 29, 2021, Knight had been living in the residence and a white 2011 Forrest River camper trailer parked at the residence.  The officer conducted a search of the home and trailer where he found a digital hard drive in the trailer, which was owned by Knight.  The homeowner also gave the officer a cellular phone belonging to Knight found in the garage of the residence.

A search warrant was obtained for digital hard drive and the cellular phone.  Forensic review of the devices revealed images and videos depicting minors, some under the age of 12, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  There were also numerous images and personal information found on the devices confirming Knight’s ownership of both.

Knight was convicted on March 14, 1997, of 1st Degree Sexual Abuse in Marion County, Oregon. Knight was also on federal supervised release for failing to register as a sex offender when the instant offense occurred.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Daisy Flores, 22, of Fresno, California was sentenced on January 3, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Flores to 121 months imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, Flores will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On February 6, 2022, an Otoe County sheriff’s deputy pulled over a Ford Expedition near the Nebraska-Iowa border for a traffic violation. The Expedition was driven by Flores’s mother, Teresa Martinez, and Flores was the passenger. A search of the vehicle uncovered approximately eight pounds of methamphetamine and approximately four pounds of marijuana. Crime laboratory testing of the methamphetamine confirmed purity of approximately 89 percent.

Martinez was sentenced in November to 87 months imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the Otoe County Sherriff’s Department and Homeland Security Investigations. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office assisted with testing of the methamphetamine.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Johana Madrid, 29, of Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for her involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Madrid to 150 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After her release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. 

On August 17, 2022, in Wayne County, Nebraska, a call came in about two suspicious people attempting to get into a resident’s car.  Nebraska State Patrol troopers responded and encountered Oscar Villa and Johana Madrid on the side of the road on Nebraska Highway 35 and 849 Road.  Both claimed they were on their way to Iowa for drug treatment but couldn’t really explain how they wound up on the side of the road. Madrid admitted to having methamphetamine in her bookbag and a firearm was located on the ground nearby. They also found a large meth shard in the fitted sheet Madrid had originally draped over herself.

Villa and Madrid were taken into custody. While in custody, troopers searched Madrid’s phone which showed a map of a field near the intersection where the two were encountered which contained a location pin. Using that map and pin, troopers found a bookbag that was covered by soybean plants. Inside the bookbag was approximately 20 pounds of pure meth.

Villa was sentenced on November 29, 2023, to a term of imprisonment of 240 months.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kenneth D. Blair, 21, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced December 21, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for his participation in a firearms conspiracy in the furtherance of drug trafficking. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Blair to 21 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Blair’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

Rodolfo Falcon owned a house that was the central location for the distribution of marijuana, marijuana derivatives, and cocaine. Falcon rented that house out to several younger drug dealers including Kenneth Blair, Alexis Bernal-Lopez, and Keland Strong.  Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force performed a search of the residence and recovered cocaine, marijuana, currency, drug paraphernalia, and several firearms. Falcon, who has a distinctive tattoo on his hand, was seen in photos posing with firearms. One of the firearms shown in the picture was recovered from the residence. Agents also located a stolen firearm and AR15 rifle. 

At the time of the search, Kenneth Blair was in the basement of the residence along with two apparent narcotics customers. Drugs and cash were also recovered from that location. Keland Strong used an upstairs room that contained numerous firearms. Falcon lived on the main level of the home where agents recovered cash, cocaine. and personal identification documents. Evidence of significant marijuana distribution such as wrappers for large quantities of marijuana were also recovered. This, along with the text messages between the group members revealed that the home was being used as a main distribution hub and that Bethow, Bernal-Lopez, Strong, and Blair all worked together to sell drugs, particularly marijuana to ‘serves’ (their code word for narcotics purchasers) and would drive each other to sales and work together to get the right types of THC cartridges and marijuana to customers.

On September 28, 2023, Majok Bethow: plead guilty to firearms conspiracy in the furtherance of drug trafficking; sentencing is January 11, 2024.

On October 27, 2023, Rodolfo Falcon plead guilty to firearms conspiracy and possession of a firearm in the furtherance of drug trafficking; sentencing is January 19, 2024.

On November 17, 2023, Keland Strong plead guilty to firearms conspiracy and possession of a firearm in the furtherance of drug trafficking; sentencing is February 8, 2024.

On November 20, 2023, Alexis Bernal Lopez plead guilty firearms conspiracy and possession of a firearm in the furtherance of drug trafficking; sentencing is February 16, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Christopher Evans, 33, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced December 21, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Evans to 24 months of imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After Evans’ release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On January 29, 2022, Omaha police officers observed a vehicle fail to signal its turn.  Officers conducted a traffic stop and upon contact with the vehicle observed an open container of alcohol in Evans’ lap and another open container in the center console. Co-defendant Bath Kuol was seated in the front passenger seat and Evans was the driver.  During a search of the vehicle, officers located a Glock 19x 9mm handgun with a loaded 33 round magazine inside of the center console. 

Evans admitted to law enforcement that he knew the firearm was in the vehicle and admitted to handling it.  Prior to January 29, 2022, Evans had been convicted of felony possession of a controlled substance. 

Bath Kuol was sentenced on February 17, 2023, to 63 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.  This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kelvin Baez-Adames, 32, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced December 20, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for his participation in a fentanyl drug conspiracy. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Baez-Adames to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Baez-Adames release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

From August 2021 to May 4, 2022, Baez-Adames and co-defendant Kiara Jimenez ran an online company to sell M-30 pills utilizing Bitcoin. The M-30 pills were counterfeit and contained fentanyl.  The Drug Enforcement Administration in Omaha began its undercover operation after pills were seized in Nebraska with the moniker “THEMESSIAH11.”  

An undercover address was utilized to purchase pills online from THEMESSIAH11. DEA purchased 60 blue pills later identified as fraudulent M-30 pills containing fentanyl.  The pills were sent in a Crunch N’ Munch box to prevent detection.  The DEA set up another purchase and the tracking number for the order was from the Bronx, New York.  This package contained more fentanyl pills hidden in another Crunch N’ Munch box.  Surveillance was conducted in the Bronx and codefendant Kira Jimenez was observed leaving the defendant’s apartment to deliver 10 packages.  The packages were intercepted by DEA and all contained fentanyl inside Crunch N’ Munch boxes.  On May 4, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the defendant’s apartment in the Bronx.  Law enforcement seized fentanyl pills, drug paraphernalia and several cases of Crunch N’ Munch.  Baez-Adames is responsible for one kilogram of fentanyl analogue.

Kiara Jimenez pled guilty to fentanyl drug conspiracy and will be sentenced on January 24, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Scott A. Berndt, 54, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 20, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Berndt to 14 years’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Berndt’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

From November 2020 to May 2021, Berndt and others arranged to have large quantities of meth sent by mail to the Lincoln, Nebraska area. Postal records show at least ten shipments delivered to Lincoln which were believed to have contained meth, and which weighed between 1.69 pounds to over 11 pounds. Berndt and others then broke those shipments down into smaller quantities and resold the meth they received to others in Lincoln. Police also uncovered money transfer records where Berndt sent money to people in Arizona during that same period. Berndt pleaded guilty to his offense on April 17, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jake Brian Spiegel, 42, of Albion, Nebraska, was sentenced December 20, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Spiegel to 105 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Spiegel’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On May 28, 2022, Spiegel was arrested after being found in possession of over 50 grams of meth. He posted bond and was arrested again on June 12, 2022, in Merrick County, Nebraska, after being found in possession of more than 50 grams of meth. Shortly after Spiegel’s arrest, codefendant Cheryl Ann Gonzalez arrived at the scene and was arrested after she was found in possession of more than 150 grams of meth. Gonzalez told law enforcement that she was intending to deliver the meth in her possession to Spiegel. Gonzalez has a motion pending and a trial date will be scheduled after its resolution.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Eric L. Eggers, 39, of Oxford, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 19, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for felon in possession of a firearm. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Eggers to 36 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Eggers’ release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On August 24, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant of Eggers’ residence in Furnas County, Nebraska.  During the search, law enforcement located 16 firearms in total.  Eggers admitted that he knew that the firearms were in his residence and that he knowingly possessed them. He also admitted that he knew he could not legally possess them.  Eggers had previously been convicted of a felony in 2012.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Furnas County Sheriff’s Office.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Josef D. Barraza, 25, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced December 18, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln for firearms conspiracy and possession of a weapon in furtherance of drug trafficking. United States Senior District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Barraza to 204 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Barraza’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

Josef D. Barraza was prohibited from purchasing firearms in the State of Nebraska because of previous drug and firearms convictions. Due to his inability to purchase firearms, he made an agreement with his co-defendant Rachel Pageler to purchase firearms for him.  Barraza would then illegally transfer and sell these firearms to other third parties.

In November of 2020, investigators executed a series of search and arrest warrants for members of the No Names Demon gang in Lincoln, Nebraska.  On that same day, Pageler reported to police that some weapons had been stolen, when in fact, at Barraza’s direction, the weapons were transferred or sold to gang members. Those weapons were used by members of the gang in robberies and rival gang shootings and threats.

Upon his arrest in June 2021, investigators with the Lincoln Police Department went to the shared residence of Barraza and Pageler.  Investigators seized firearms, including multiple Glock handguns and ammunition, one with an extended clip that was loaded and controlled substances, including methamphetamine and marijuana.   Investigators also recovered $1,200 in United States currency from Barraza, who was unemployed.  Pageler is set to be sentenced for her role in the crimes in February 2024.

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive national strategy that creates local partnerships with law enforcement agencies to effectively enforce existing gun laws. It provides more options to prosecutors, allowing them to utilize local, state, and federal laws to ensure that criminals who commit gun crime face tough sentences. PSN gives each federal district the flexibility it needs to focus on individual challenges that a specific community faces.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Felix Chacon, 61, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 18, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for distribution of methamphetamine. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Chacon to 50 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Chacon’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

In February 2018, Chacon twice met with an informant and sold the informant methamphetamine during controlled purchases which were monitored and recorded by police. In total, Chacon sold the informant 57 grams of actual or pure methamphetamine. Chacon pleaded guilty to his offense on August 30, 2023.

Chacon’s sentencing included an enhancement for obstruction of justice. After his initial arrest on the charges in this case, Chacon was released from custody pending trial. However, Chacon failed to appear for trial on July 26, 2021. He was later arrested in January 2023 in New Mexico. Because he failed to appear for trial and absconded, an enhancement under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines applied.

This case was investigated by the Trident Drug Task Force. The members of that task force include the Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff’s Department, Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, Hastings Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced the extradition of Afeez Akinloye, 42, a Nigerian national, from South Africa to the District of Nebraska on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and access device fraud filed in July 2018. The United States requested Akinloye’s extradition in November 2021, and South African authorities arrested him based on the U.S. request in September 2022. Subsequently, a South African court ordered his extradition in May 2023, and the Minister of Justice ordered his surrender in September. In coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, South African authorities ultimately surrendered Akinloye to the United States on December 8, 2023. Akinloye had an initial appearance on the Indictment on December 12, 2023. United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson ordered Akinloye remain detained pending trial.

The Indictment charges Akinloye with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section, 1349 and with access device fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029. It is alleged that Akinloye participated in a business email compromise (BEC) scheme from September 2016 to June 2017. The BEC scheme involved real estate transactions. Akinloye and his co-conspirators would learn of a real estate transaction closing and send fraudulent emails to have the wire proceeds wired to accounts they could access. As a result of this scheme, business in Nebraska and elsewhere were defrauded of over $1,850,000.

Akinloye is the first of the co-conspirators to appear on the Indictment.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Akinloye.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned nine unsealed Indictments charging 11 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

*          Ravier Olivas-Valenzuela, age 32, of Phoenix, Arizona, and Carlos Daniel Ruelas, age 21, of Phoenix, are charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Olivas-Valenzuela with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine on or about July 31, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than five years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Ruelas with possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture of cocaine on or about July 31, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than five years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Jaime Ramos-Gonzalez, age 63, of Lexington, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine on or about September 20, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than five years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Brian I. Gonzalez, age 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charge Gonzalez with receipt and distribution of child pornography from between on or about March 27, 2023, and on or about November 15, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Gonzalez with possession of child pornography on or about November 15, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.

*          James L. Hatten, II, age 52 of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a five-count Indictment.  Counts I and II charge Hatten with sex trafficking of a minor and production of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct from on or about May 1, 2022, through September 1, 2022.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges Hatten with sexual exploitation of children from on or about May 1, 2022, through September 1, 2022.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Counts IV and V charge Hatten with distribution of a controlled substance to a person under the age of 21 from on or about May 1, 2022, through September 1, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 1 year and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $2,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 6 years, and a $100 special assessment.  

*          Gene Milton Jr., age 27, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment.  Count I charges Milton with possession with intent to deliver 400 grams or more of fentanyl on or about December 4, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than five years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Milton with possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about December 4, 2023. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 30 years’ up to life imprisonment consecutive, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than five years, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Milton with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about December 4, 2023. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than three years, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Ronnie James Colvin, III, age 21, of Omaha, Nebraska and Jonathan Ayer, age 20, of Omaha, Nebraska, are charged in a five-count Indictment.  Count I charges Colvin and Ayer with conspiracy to commit bank fraud from no later than January 31, 2023, and continuing to December 7, 2023. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 30 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than five years, and a $100 special assessment.  Counts II and III charges Colvin and Ayer with bank fraud on or about May 5, 2023, and on or about May 12, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 30 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than five years, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Colvin with robbery of mail, money, or other property of the United States on or about January 31, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 25 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than three years, and a $100 special assessment. Count V charges Colvin with using, carrying, or possessing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence on or about January 31, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 7 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than three years, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Neon Chang, age 41, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a four-count Indictment.  Counts I and II charge Chang with production of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct on or about January 18, 2019, and or about February 17, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges Chang with receipt or distribution of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct from at least on or about April 5, 2022, and continuing to on or about March 4, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Chang with possession of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct on or about November 30, 2023. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that James Lee Pokorny, 53, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on December 8, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for his participation in a methamphetamine drug conspiracy. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr., sentenced Pokorny to 82 months imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Pokorny’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On September 13, 2021, Pokorny sold a confidential source 25.02 grams of actual meth.  Then, on October 4, 2021, and October 8, 2021, Pokorny met with his source of supply and then sold a confidential source 51.57 and 50.19 grams of actual meth. 

Pokorny agreed with at least one other person to distribute 126 grams of actual meth in Omaha between September 13, 2021, and October 8, 2021.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.