District of Nebraska

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jose Rico, 26, of California, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 grams or more of Fentanyl.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Rico to 70 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On July 20, 2022, the Commercial Interdiction Unit was working the Trailways bus station at 16th and Jackson Streets in Omaha.  Law enforcement observed Rico depart the bus, traveling from Los Angeles, California, to Cincinnati, Ohio.  The officer asked Rico about his travel plans, which he had difficulty answering, and Rico began shaking.  The officer took Rico to the back room of the bus terminal, where he read Rico his Miranda rights before searching Rico’s bag. Seven kilos of a white powdery substance were located and two packages of approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills.  A forensic lab confirmed the pills and powder were both fentanyl.  One of the packages contained Xylazine with fentanyl.  Xylazine is a tranquilizer used by veterinarians and is not approved for use in humans.  When mixed with street drugs, Xylazine can cause serious medical issues and death by overdose.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Chad Moseman, 37, of Bennington, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distribution and receipt of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Moseman to 100 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Moseman will serve 5 years of supervised release.

In July 2021, while conducting an undercover peer-to-peer child pornography investigation, an FBI task force officer in Omaha observed an IP address advertising child pornography to share. The officer confirmed the files advertised child pornography. The IP address resolved to Moseman’s residence in Bennington. The FBI executed a search warrant at Moseman’s residence and seized his electronic devices. A forensic examination showed peer-to-peer software had been utilized on Moseman’s computer. Moseman’s computer also contained images of child pornography captured in thumbnail cache as well as other digital artifacts showing child pornography had been accessed and deleted on the computer. Digital evidence, including text messages, further showed Moseman was at home at the time of the online activity.

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 FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Justin Britthouer, 36, formerly of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Britthouer was sentenced to 132 months in prison and will also serve 5 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. 

On August 13, 2022, Britthouer was stopped for erratic driving by the Beatrice Police Department. While performing standardized field sobriety tests, Britthouer admitted there were drugs in the vehicle he had been driving. The resulting search of the vehicle located three bags of methamphetamine. The methamphetamine was tested by the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab, which confirmed it was methamphetamine. The total amount seized was at least 68 grams pure methamphetamine. Britthouer admitted to distributing drugs in southeast Nebraska during an interview and was arrested.

This case was investigated by the Beatrice Police Department.

A Florida man was sentenced today to six years in prison for orchestrating an investment scheme that defrauded more than 10,000 victims of over $55 million.

According to court documents, Michael Glaspie, 72, of Palm City, marketed an investment opportunity under the name “CoinDeal” or “Coin Deal.” Glaspie claimed that CoinDeal would yield extremely high returns on the premise that a consortium of wealthy buyers was about to acquire one or more technology companies that Neil Suresh Chandran, 51, of Las Vegas, allegedly owned and operated under the banner of “ViRSE.” To entice investors to put money into CoinDeal, Glaspie falsely promised that in the event the returns from CoinDeal failed to materialize, he would repay investors their money with seven percent annual interest over three years. In fact, Glaspie knew he had no means of making such repayments.

According to court documents, to support his false repayment promise, Glaspie deceptively claimed that he had an exclusive and lucrative contract with AT&T to distribute government‑funded phones. He also claimed that the Better Business Bureau was distributing an app that he developed, and it would yield over $400 million in revenue. In reality, Glaspie had no such contract or distribution agreement. Furthermore, when the promised sale of Chandran’s companies did not close, Glaspie transmitted investor funds to Chandran after falsely representing to CoinDeal investors that he would not do so. Glaspie also falsely claimed that he never paid himself with CoinDeal investor funds, when in truth, he misappropriated nearly $2.5 million of victim investments for personal purposes, including trading cryptocurrency, paying his employees’ salaries, and buying a life insurance policy for a family member.

Chandran was arrested on June 29, 2022, for allegedly defrauding more than 10,000 victims of over $45 million.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Susan T. Lehr for the District of Nebraska, and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.

The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Omaha, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles Field Offices.

Assistant Chief William E. Johnston and Trial Attorney Tian Huang of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald J. Kleine for the District of Nebraska prosecuted the case.

All potential investor victims of this fraud are encouraged to visit the webpage www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/united-states-v-chandran to identify themselves and obtain more information on their rights, including the opportunity to submit a victim impact statement.

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 Davonte Brown, 24, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to 24 months’ imprisonment. Brown’s sentence follows his conviction for being an unlawful user of controlled substances who possessed a firearm. Brown was also sentenced to a two-year term of supervised release to be served after he completes his prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system. Brown pleaded guilty to his offense on June 23, 2023.

The indictment against Brown was filed on June 17, 2020. Brown was allowed to be released from custody while his case was pending. One of the conditions of his release required that he stay in contact with the United States Probation Office. At some point after he was allowed to be on pretrial release, Brown absconded, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Brown was located and arrested on January 5, 2023. At today’s sentencing hearing, Senior Judge Gerrard remarked that Brown’s offense would typically receive an 18-month term of imprisonment. However, because Brown absconded, Judge Gerrard added an additional six months to Brown’s sentence.

On April 17, 2020, a person in Lincoln purchased a KelTec rifle from a gun store. Brown later posted a video on Snapchat which depicted him in possession of that rifle. Police executed a search warrant at the home of the person who purchased the firearm. The KelTec rifle was recovered, and it was examined for fingerprints. Two sets of fingerprints were found on the rifle, one of which matched Brown’s fingerprints.

At the time when Brown possessed the rifle, he was an unlawful user of marijuana. Between contacts with law enforcement, and postings on social media, evidence was obtained showing Brown in possession of marijuana between July 2018 and May 2020.

The investigation was conducted by the Lincoln Police Department’s Gang Unit, which works with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in referring some cases for federal prosecution. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives also assisted by helping to trace the origins of the firearm. 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.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kenneth Brinton, 65, formerly of Wilber, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for one count of possession of child pornography. Brinton was sentenced to 156 months in prison and will serve 13 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The investigation of this case began when Saline County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) was informed that Brinton was arrested by the Beatrice Police Department for sexual assault of a child, child enticement, and additional charges regarding a minor. SCSO officers applied for a search of Brinton’s residence to further that investigation. During the execution of the search warrant, numerous videos of child pornography were located on Brinton’s computer. Overall, there were 57 videos and 8 images that contained child pornography located on Brinton’s electronic storage devices. Some of the files depicted minor females in the bathroom of Brinton’s residence. Brinton appeared in many of the videos as he turned on and off the camera before the minor would enter to use the bathroom. During the investigation he admitted to recording and saving these videos.

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 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.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Cordell R. Bridgeman, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 28, 2023, in federal court in Omaha by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 238 months' imprisonment. On June 23, 2023, Bridgeman pled guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and two weapons charges for brandishing firearms during and in relation to the two-armed robberies.  After his release from prison, Bridgeman will begin a four-year term of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

An investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Omaha Police Department determined that on September 18, 2020, Bridgeman, wearing a blue hoodie with the hood up, a light blue surgical mask, and dark pants, entered the Speedee Mart located at 100 West Centennial Road, Papillion, Nebraska. Bridgeman walked to the cooler and selected a beverage. Bridgeman proceeded to the register and requested a pack of "Diamond Swisher" cigars. When the employee requested identification to purchase the cigarettes, Bridgeman pulled out a gun and set it on the counter and demanded money from the register. The employee removed the drawer from the register. Bridgeman told the employee that she had five seconds to place the contents of the drawer in a plastic bag.

That same day, Bridgeman robbed the Walgreens located at 3001 Dodge Street, in Omaha, Nebraska.  Bridgeman approached a Walgreens employee working the counter and asked where hand sanitizer was located. When the employee went to scan the hand sanitizer, she saw that Bridgeman had a gun pointed at her at waist level in his right hand. Bridgeman told the employee to give him "Everything in the drawer" and "No funny business." The employee was having a hard time opening the register, and Bridgeman started counting backwards from three to one. The employee placed all the money that was in the register on the counter. Bridgeman grabbed the money, stuffed it in his pocket, and left the store.

At sentencing, the government argued Bridgeman used excessive violence during the commission of these robberies.  The government further informed the court that Bridgeman was a registered sex offender at the time he committed the armed robberies. He updated his sex offender registry with Sarpy Country on the same day he committed the robberies, in the same clothing.  That evidence, along with the cooperation of several brave eyewitnesses, helped to secure the convictions in this case.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Roberto Balbuena-Ignacio, 36, of Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for his involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Balbuena-Ignacio to 235 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Balbuena-Ignacio will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.

Beginning in May 2021, an informant working for the DEA contacted Balbuena-Ignacio to purchase methamphetamine. Arrangements were made by Balbuena-Ignacio and on May 20, 2021, the informant met with an individual later identified as co-defendant Cash C. Cosgriff, and successfully purchased one pound of methamphetamine.

Two additional drug deals, on June 23, 2021, and July 14, 2021, were also arranged with the informant meeting Balbuena-Ignacio and purchasing one pound of methamphetamine on each occasion.

As part of the investigation, it was determined that a residence located in the area of 10th and Center in Omaha was being utilized by members of the conspiracy.  A search warrant was executed on this residence on August 2, 2021, after Teodoro Alejandro Castillo-Rincon and Francisco Martinez-Mungia were observed carrying bags in.  During the search almost 57 pounds of methamphetamine and 2 kilograms of cocaine were found.

Cosgriff was sentenced on August 17, 2023, to 120 months’ imprisonment. Castillo-Rincon was sentenced on June 26, 2023, to 135 months’ imprisonment. Martinez-Mungia was sentenced on October 19, 2022, to 135 months’ imprisonment. Balbuena-Ignacio had a greater criminal history than his co-conspirators which resulted in him receiving a higher sentence.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Cameron Woods, 44, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Woods to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On April 16, 2022, Lincoln Police Department officers noticed a vehicle sitting at an intersection with a green light in Lincoln. Officers got out to check on the vehicle and saw Woods asleep at the wheel. Officers also saw a partially empty bottle of liquor on the passenger seat.

When officers attempted to put the vehicle in park, Woods woke up and grabbed a purple Crown Royal bag from the center console area that contained a clear self-seal baggie with 110 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine verified through forensic lab testing.  Woods was arrested and subsequently indicted on the drug trafficking crime.  A criminal history check revealed that Woods had previously been convicted of trafficking methamphetamine in 2011 and was sentenced to a 6-year prison term.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Daniel D. Konruff, 45, of Gurley, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for possession of child pornography. Konruff was sentenced to 120 months in prison and will also serve 16 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Additionally, Konruff was ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution to victims of his crimes.

On May 13, 2022, Konruff’s personal cellphone was reviewed by a Cheyenne County Nebraska probation officer pursuant to the conditions of Konruff’s state probation. The probation officer observed child pornography on the device. The device was seized, and a search warrant was obtained to download and further review the phone’s contents. The forensic download revealed multiple child pornography files. Konruff was convicted in 2017, in case #CR17-13 in the District Court for Cheyenne County, Nebraska, with two counts of attempted possession of child pornography.

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 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.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office, and Kearney Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Raymond A. Butler, Jr., 52, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha following a conviction for being a felon in possession of ammunition. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Butler to 96 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Butler will begin a three-year term of supervised release.

On February 22, 2022, Omaha police stopped a vehicle for traffic infractions. Butler was identified as the driver and a data check confirmed an active misdemeanor arrest warrant. During a search incident to arrest, officers found one Winchester 9mm Luger bullet in his pocket. Butler is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing ammunition under federal law. His convictions include first-degree sexual assault in 1991, bank robbery in 2002, and delivery of a controlled substance in 2018.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Joseph T. Pearce, II, 41, of Plainview, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 20, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for filing a false tax return. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Pearce to four years’ probation. Judge Buescher also order Pearce to pay $200,411.33 in restitution.

Pearce owned and operated a painting and maintenance business between 2014 and 2018 in Nebraska and Texas. Pearce’s tax returns for 2014 through 2018 reported profit from the painting and maintenance business. Pearce signed each of the tax returns under penalties of perjury, declaring that he examined a copy of the tax returns and that they were true, correct, and complete. At the time Pearce made the written declaration for each tax year, Pearce knew the reported income in the tax returns for each tax year was not correct. 

An investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service determined that for tax years 2014 through 2018, Pearce filed tax returns that reported substantially less income than had been actually paid to Pearce’s painting and maintenance business. The Internal Revenue Service’s investigation included interviews of Pearce’s clients and review of Pearce’s financial records. The Internal Revenue Service determined that Pearce’s tax returns failed to report $760,629 in income from between 2014 and 2018. Taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service on the unreported income total $200,411.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Glenn Lemar Cass, 52, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Omaha by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher for Conspiracy to Distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Cass was sentenced to 120 months in prison and will also serve 5 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On Dec. 29, 2021, the Omaha Police Department executed a search warrant on Cass’s North Omaha residence. Officers encountered Cass in the main floor hallway and secured him in handcuffs. Officers searched the residence and found 164 grams of fentanyl, a loaded .40 caliber handgun, and drug dealing paraphernalia in Cass’s bedroom closet. In the basement, officers located 782 grams of marijuana, 8.9 grams of heroin, more than 6 grams of fentanyl and $23,411.  The money was found to be drug trafficking proceeds and forfeited to the United States at sentencing. 

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 9 unsealed Indictments charging 9 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.

*          Daniel Butt, age 38, of St. Paul, Nebraska, is charged in a four-count Indictment.  Count I charges Butt with false statement on loan and credit application on or about December 28, 2015, and continuing to on or about February 16, 2016.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Butt with false statement on loan and credit application on or about November 27, 2017, and continuing to on or about January 3, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges Butt with larceny-conversion of property on or about October 1, 2018, and continuing to on or about October 25, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count IV charges Butt with bankruptcy fraud on or about August 9, 2021.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Kene D. Coleman, age 42, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl on or about August 11, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, not less than 10 years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Brandon L. Hutchinson, age 38, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Hutchinson with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with detectable amount of fentanyl on or about July 16, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Hutchinson with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime from on or about July 16, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to life imprisonment consecutive to Count I, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  There is also an allegation to forfeit $2,033 in United States currency seized on or about July 16, 2023.

*          Lazaro Onasi Lopez Campos, age 47, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about March 8, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, not less than 10 years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Edwin Okoronkwo, age 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with producing, using, or trafficking in a counterfeit access device on or about August 26, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Gerardo Pedro Rafael-Antonio is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after a felony conviction on or about February 5, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Jonathan Dean Schelling, age 35, of Kearney, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about March 28, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Robert L. Thomas, age 43, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about April 25, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  There is also an allegation to forfeit $17,801.41 in United States currency seized on or about April 25, 2023.

*          Kristin M. Uhing, age 53, of Dodge, Nebraska, is charged in a four-count Indictment.  Counts I through IV charge Uhing with bank fraud from on or about October 10, 2018, and continuing to on or about July 15, 2021.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each Count. 

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that James L. Bennett, Jr., 56, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher to 46 months’ imprisonment for possessing with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and 60 months’ imprisonment for possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.  Those sentences were ordered to run consecutive for a total sentence of 106 months in the Bureau of Prisons. There is no parole in the federal system. Bennett was also sentenced to a five-year term of supervised release to be served after he completes his prison sentence. Bennett pleaded guilty to the offenses on June 21, 2023.

On August 31, 2022, Omaha police officers and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives served a search warrant on Bennett’s home.  There, they recovered more than 30 grams of crack cocaine and several firearms, including a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun found inside a leather coat with a “Los Diablos” motorcycle club patch. 

The investigation was conducted by the Omaha Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives assisted with an examination of the firearm. 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.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Will Alexander Reifschneider, 25, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 19, 2023, by Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to 76 months following his conviction for receipt of child pornography. Reifschneider was also sentenced to a five-year term of supervised release to be served after he completes his prison sentence, and he was ordered to pay a $3,000 special assessment. There is no parole in the federal system. Reifschneider pleaded guilty to his offense on June 14, 2023.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a report about a Kik user sharing dozens of video files containing child pornography during the month of December 2021. The IP address traced back to Reifschneider’s residence in Lincoln. Investigators contacted Reifschneider at his place of employment. Reifschneider acknowledged having used Kik at one point. Reifschneider confessed to possessing and uploading child pornography material. He said that his material was saved on two older phones which were underneath his bed at his residence. He consented to the investigators going to his house to retrieve the cell phones and he turned over the phones to them. While conducting an initial review of the phones, the investigators found several images or videos depicting child pornography.

A forensic examination of the phones was completed later. On the phones, investigators estimate they found a combined total from both phones of approximately 1,200 files depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Investigators located five video files with hash values matching the NCMEC report. In reviewing the files, the investigators noted files depicting a victim under 12 years of age, and other files depicting infants or toddlers in sexually explicit conduct.

The investigation was conducted by the Nebraska State Patrol and 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 Attorneys’ 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.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Angelica Ramos Torres Villa, 31, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine mixture.  Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Torres Villa to 96 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After her release from prison, she will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. 

On June 26, 2022, deputies with the Seward County Sheriff’s Office stopped Torres Villa for a traffic violation.  During the stop, a drug detection dog was deployed and indicated to the odor of drugs inside the vehicle.  A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in 15 pounds of methamphetamine found hidden behind removable panels.  Torres Villa had injuries on her arms consistent with putting the methamphetamine in the hidden locations.

This case was investigated by the Seward County Sheriff’s Office.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Imelda Ambriz, 35, of Los Angeles, California, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for transporting cocaine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Ambriz to 54 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After her release from prison, she will begin a three-year term of supervised release. 

On September 17, 2022, a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol was patrolling westbound on Interstate 80 near mile marker 349 when he observed a white Ford SUV traveling eastbound in the passing lane following another vehicle at a close and unsafe distance. The trooper caught up to the SUV and saw it exit at mile marker 353. The trooper initiated a traffic stop at a nearby truck stop in York County.

The trooper approached the SUV and identified the lone driver as Imelda Ambriz, who was taking short rapid breaths and her entire body was shaking. While questioning Ambriz during the stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity and requested permission to search her vehicle, which Ambriz granted. A subsequent search revealed 19.9 pounds of cocaine hidden in the back of the vehicle’s seats.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Sire English, 31, was sentenced on September 15, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for failing to register as a sex offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced English to imprisonment for 30 months in the Bureau of Prisons. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from federal prison, English will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On March 18, 2012, English was convicted of Child Enticement in the State of Iowa. He was sentenced to probation for two years and was thereafter required to register as a sex offender in any state in which he resided pursuant to the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), a federal law. Records obtained from the Iowa Sex Offender Registry indicate that on August 9, 2022, English registered as a sex offender in the State of Iowa and listed an address at an apartment in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

English was previously convicted of a SORNA felony in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska on October 15th, 2018. At that time, he was sentenced to imprisonment for 15 months and a 5-year term of supervised release. On October 13, 2022, English was arrested on a federal warrant for violating the conditions of his supervised release from the prior case. At the time of his arrest, English was found by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to be residing at an address at an apartment on Hamilton Street in Omaha. The USMS confirmed through additional investigation that English had been living in Omaha since April 8, 2022, and had moved out of his registered address in Council Bluffs in December of 2021.

English did not register or attempt to register, nor did he update his sex offender registration to show that he was residing in Omaha pursuant to the requirements of SORNA between approximately April 8, 2022, and October 18, 2022, when he was arrested.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Regina A. Rodriguez, 46, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 18, 2023, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 20 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, resulting in the death of another person.  Following her release from prison, Rodriguez will serve three years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On the morning of June 21, 2022, a Lincoln man was found dead at a Lincoln halfway house.  A spoon containing a blue/white substance, a broken pill, and a syringe were found in the man’s room.  Two additional blue pills were found in his wallet.  Testing at the Nebraska State Patrol laboratory showed the two pills found in the victim’s wallet and the substance on the spoon contained fentanyl and another drug, 4-ANPP.  After an autopsy was conducted, it was determined the cause of death was fentanyl toxicity.

Text messages in the victim’s phone led investigators to suspect Rodriguez, and her husband/co-defendant, Arnaldo Rodriguez-Santini, were the sources of the fentanyl.  In August of 2022, Rodriguez was contacted by narcotics investigators.  She admitted knowing the victim.  She admitted she and her husband were addicted to opioids and used pills which she knew contained fentanyl.  When asked about messages from the victim asking to buy pills at his workplace on June 20, 2022, Rodriguez said she did not specifically remember going there on that date but admitted it was likely she and her husband had met with the victim and delivered five pills to him.

The case against Arnaldo Rodriguez-Santini is scheduled for a status hearing on September 26, 2023.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jarrett Chappelear, 26, of Fremont, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 15, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for distributing methamphetamine while possessing a firearm.  Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Chappelear to 96 months’ imprisonment for the distribution and 60 months’ imprisonment for possessing a firearm during a drug transaction, for a total of 156 months.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Chappelear will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. 

On October 29, 2021, the Nebraska State Patrol in Norfolk, Nebraska, utilized a confidential informant to purchase 1,245 grams of pure methamphetamine from Chappelear.  Shortly after the controlled buy, troopers stopped Chappelear driving away.  Chappelear was found to be in possession of an FNS 9mm handgun with two spare magazines of ammunition.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Christopher Frater, 30, of Ontario, Canada, was sentenced on September 14, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.  Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Frater to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On July 13, 2022, Omaha Police Department officers working on I-80 in Sarpy County observed a 2021 Nissan Maxima with Virginia license plates commit several traffic violations. As a result, officers pulled over the vehicle driven by Frater. During the traffic stop, the officer learned that the defendant was driving a rental vehicle, one way from Los Angeles, California, to New York.

Frater made inconsistent statements about the purpose and timing of his travel which raised the officer’s suspicions. As a result, a K-9 sniff of the rental vehicle occurred and the K-9 positively alerted to the scent of narcotics in the vehicle.

In the trunk of the car, officers found three Home Depot boxes containing more than 125 pounds of cocaine that was laboratory confirmed as to both weight and substance. 

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Quintan Kimbrough, 33, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today 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 Kimbrough to 90 months in the Bureau of Prisons.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Kimbrough will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On June 10, 2022, Omaha police officers observed a silver Pontiac turn right on North 24th Street without coming to a complete stop at the stop sign. The vehicle was then observed driving in excess of the posted speed limit on North 24th Street before turning left on Ogden Street without signaling the turn. A traffic stop was made as the vehicle pulled into the driveway of a private residence where Kimbrough was contacted as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle.

Officers detected signs of impairment and a DUI investigation was completed. Eventually, Kimbrough was placed under arrest for DUI 4th Offense. Kimbrough's vehicle was searched, and officers located a Ruger .45 ACP handgun, fully loaded with a 15-round magazine in a brown leather handbag on the driver's seat of the vehicle.

Kimbrough was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions, specifically:  robbery (2008) in Douglas County District Court, Nebraska; being a felon in possession of a firearm, in the United States District Court, District of Nebraska (2010); and possession with the intent to distribute (2015) in Douglas County District Court, Nebraska, on two occasions. 

Kimbrough was sentenced to 180 days in jail and his license suspended for 15 years for the state DUI conviction. 

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 Explosive and the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Alberto Mejia, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 90 months’ imprisonment for possession of child pornography. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Mejia will begin a five-year term of supervised release. Chief Judge Rossiter ordered Mejia to pay restitution in the amount of $6,000.

On May 17, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Mejia’s Omaha residence in relation to an ongoing assault investigation. The search warrant allowed for the seizure of digital devices from the residence and searching of the digital devices for evidence related to child pornography. During execution of the search warrant, several digital devices were seized from the residence, including Mejia’s cell phone.

On Mejia’s cell phone, law enforcement located numerous videos and images of minors under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

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 Bellevue Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Mark Bernal, a/k/a “Mark Reyes”, 49, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for failing to register as a sex offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Bernal to imprisonment for 5 months in the Bureau of Prisons. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from federal prison, Bernal will begin a 2-year term of supervised release. Additionally, Bernal was ordered to pay a fine of $5,000.

On January 8, 2009, Bernal was convicted of possession of child pornography (3 counts) in Will County, Illinois. He was sentenced to three years in jail and has since been required to register as a sex offender in any state in which he resides pursuant to the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), a federal law.

On June 15, 2021, Chicago police attempted to locate Bernal at his residence in Illinois after he was overdue for his annual sex offender registration. The building manager stated that Bernal moved out on April 1, 2021, with his new spouse but did not leave a forwarding address.

In the summer of 2022, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) learned that Bernal was working as a sommelier in Nebraska using the name Mark Reyes. Bernal used the “Reyes” name in connection with his wine consulting business, which he established upon moving to Nebraska from Chicago. The USMS located a rental address for Bernal and his spouse in Omaha and subsequently observed him at the residence at that address on multiple occasions throughout the month of June 2022. Bernal and his spouse established utilities at the residence on January 5, 2022. Bernal did not register or attempt to register, nor did he update his sex offender registration pursuant to the requirements of SORNA between approximately April 1, 2021, and September 26, 2022, when he was arrested.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Derric Shy, 41, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distribution and receipt of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Shy to 121 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Shy will serve 5 years of supervised release.

Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) agents in Nebraska began investigating a chat application after receiving a case referral from an HSI agent in Detroit, Michigan, who was conducting undercover chats. The undercover agent observed users upload numerous videos of child pornography to a chat group, ‘#daugh.’ On January 10, 2022, the agent specifically observed user “kikaroo” post three videos of child pornography. HSI Detroit sent a subpoena to the chat application and learned that “kikaroo” was associated with Derric Shy. An IP address associated with the user also resolved to Shy. HSI forwarded the chats, videos, and user information to HSI Nebraska.

On April 7, 2022, agents executed a search warrant at Shy’s residence. Agents interviewed Shy, who immediately admitted to knowing why they were there, stating it was because he was looking at stuff on the chat application at issue. Shy claimed the username “kikaroo” and admitted to viewing and sharing child pornography. Shy told agents they would find child pornography on his devices and provided the passcodes.

Forensic examinations of Shy’s devices revealed at least nine videos of child pornography on Shy’s cell phone. Shy’s computer also showed artifacts related to the case investigation.

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.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jerrell Jackson, 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 6, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for distributing fentanyl.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Jackson to 54 months in prison.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After Jackson’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. 

On November 9, 2020, in Omaha, Jackson knowingly sold pills containing fentanyl to a witness cooperating with law enforcement. Jackson sold the cooperator approximately 50 fentanyl pills in exchange for $1,000.  The 54-month sentence took into account that at the time Jackson sold the fentanyl, he was on federal supervised release following a conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Marco A. Lopez, 30, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Lopez to 44 months’ imprisonment on the robbery charge and 91 months’ consecutive on the brandishing a firearm charge, resulting in a sentence of 135 months in the Bureau of Prisons. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from federal prison, Lopez will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On July 1, 2022, Omaha Police Department officers responded to a radio call to Ground Floor Guitar in Omaha for an armed robbery. The store owner told officers that two men entered the store separately before Marco Lopez entered the store.  After entering the store, Lopez displayed a black handgun and robbed the store owner of cash and property, specifically several guitars and at least one amplifier.  Several customers were also robbed by being instructed to “hand over their wallets.” 

Marco Lopez instructed all the victims to move down into the basement where he locked them and a dog into a bathroom, telling them not to come out or he would “shoot them,” while displaying a handgun.  The victims eventually left the bathroom and called 911. 

On July 2, 2022, Omaha Police were responding to a tip related to a residential break-in, which identified Marco Lopez as a suspect. Marco Lopez and co-defendant Jorge Lopez are cousins. Investigators contacted and interviewed Jorge Lopez, who admitted that both he and Marco Lopez robbed the guitar store, and that Marco Lopez took the cash and guitars with him to Texas after the robbery. Police also searched a truck used in the robbery, finding a wallet belonging to one of the victims and other materials linking the truck to the robbery.  Marco Lopez was located and arrested in Texas before being extradited to Nebraska. 

Co-defendant Jorge Lopez pleaded guilty to robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced on July 26, 2023, to 114 months’ imprisonment with three years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Erika Lopez-Garcia, 28, of Phoenix, Arizona, and Gabriel Rubio-Quevedo, 25, of Omaha, Nebraska, were sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. During separate sentencing hearings, United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Lopez-Garcia and Rubio-Quevedo to 108 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After their release from prison, each defendant will begin a two-year term of supervised release.

On August 31, 2022, officers with a Drug Enforcement Administration task force identified a suspicious package at the UPS facility in Omaha. A canine indicated to the odor of narcotics coming from the package. Officers obtained a search warrant for the package and found approximately 14 pounds of methamphetamine concealed inside of a guitar amplifier.

The package was set for delivery to an Omaha address that was being rented as an Airbnb. Most of the methamphetamine was removed and the package was delivered by an undercover officer. Lopez-Garcia came outside of the residence and retrieved the package. Pursuant to a search warrant, officers searched the residence after Lopez-Garcia took the package inside. They found the delivered package along with another almost-identical package that contained another 14 pounds of methamphetamine.

Rubio-Quevedo later arrived at the residence to pick up the packages and was arrested. Rubio-Quevedo told officers someone from Mexico had called him, asked him to pick up the packages and deliver them to a person in Norfolk, Nebraska. Rubio-Quevedo admitted he was going to be paid to deliver the packages.

The total amount of methamphetamine seized amounted to 12,775 grams. A portion of the methamphetamine from each package was tested for purity, which returned results of 85.9 percent and 92.3 percent.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Forensic laboratory testing was conducted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Michael Blaine Lee, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for his involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Lee to 121 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Lee will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

In February 2022, the Omaha Police Department’s Narcotics Unit began investigating Lee and Jose Rumualdo-Gallardo for distributing methamphetamine. Rumualdo-Gallardo was Lee’s source of supply for methamphetamine, and it was determined that Lee was getting at least one to two ounces of methamphetamine every other day over a four-month period that he was then redistributing.  A search warrant on Lee’s residence was executed on February 22, 2022, resulting in 44 grams of pure methamphetamine being recovered.  Rumualdo-Gallardo was arrested on March 8, 2022, and was in possession of 242 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm.

Rumualdo-Gallardo was sentenced on June 29, 2023, to 180 months’ imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Traynell Toney, 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha after having previously pled guilty to two bank robberies. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Toney to 7 ½ years’ imprisonment on each bank robbery, to run at the same time, and ordered him to pay $13,485 in restitution. Toney will be on supervised release for three years after he is released from prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

On December 20, 2021, Toney went into the First National Bank located in the Hy-Vee supermarket at 5150 Center Street in Omaha. He slid a note to the teller demanding he get all the money and that the teller should not use a dye pack or tracking device. The note also indicated that if the teller did not comply, Toney would kill the teller. He was given $3,312.00 and left the bank.

On December 31, 2021, Toney went into the U.S. Bank located in the Baker’s grocery store at 17370 Lakeside Hills Plaza, in Omaha. He handed a similar note to the U.S. Bank teller demanding money or the teller would die. The teller handed Toney $10,173.00 after which he left the bank.

Law enforcement was called to both scenes after the robberies occurred. Toney’s fingerprints were on the demand note he passed and left at the First National Bank. A check of his cell phone data showed he was in the area of the two banks at the time the robberies were committed.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations Violent Crime Task Force.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Robert A. Ryan, 35, of Bellevue, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher to 110 months’ imprisonment for distribution of child pornography. After his release from prison, Ryan will begin a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On September 17, 2021, Kik, a social media application, identified at least two videos of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct that were distributed to others on the Kik application.  Kik captured the Internet Protocol (IP) address that was used to distribute the videos as well as the Kik account name.  Law enforcement obtained information related to the IP addresses, which ultimately identified Ryan as the subscriber and his residence in Bellevue, Nebraska.  Law enforcement executed a search of Ryan’s residence and seized his cellular phone.  Forensic analysis of the cellular phone found numerous images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

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 Jefferey Edwards, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possessing a firearm as a felon. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Edwards to imprisonment for 48 months. Upon release from prison, Edwards will be required to complete a 3-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. 

On October 4, 2022, Able One, an Omaha Police helicopter, observed the occupants of a Dodge Charger meet with the occupants of a white Mazda SUV. Edwards was one of three occupants of the Charger, which was stopped by police. Shortly thereafter, Able One observed the Mazda traveling offroad along a tree line behind an address on North 26th Street in Omaha. Officers investigated the vacant lot behind that address and found an iPhone in a case lying in the grass. The iPhone case held identification for one of the two occupants of the Mazda, which was also later stopped by police.

Officers then investigated a red Chevy Tahoe in the vacant lot and observed a rifle case in the back seat and ammunition in plain view. The Tahoe was unsecured, and an officer opened the door and determined that the case was empty. While doing so, the officer found another firearm, a Glock handgun, on the front passenger side floorboard.

A resident of the home at the front of the vacant lot confirmed to officers that she lived there but did not own the firearms that were recovered. Meanwhile, Able One provided an aerial video to officers on the ground showing suspects appearing to hide items in the lot and then leaving in the white Mazda. Officers searched and found two more firearms under a plastic bin in the lot and observed another firearm (a Century Arms, Inc. Model M70AB2 rifle) in a white Malibu also parked in the lot. The owner of the Malibu disclaimed ownership of the firearms and allowed officers to search the car and recover the rifle. DNA testing of the rifle confirmed that Edwards was a contributor to the mixture of DNA on the rifle. The rifle, which was ordered forfeited, is an AK-47 style assault weapon capable of accepting large capacity magazines.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Rodrigo Esparza, 49, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possessing with intent to distribute two pounds of methamphetamine.  Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Esparza to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. 

On October 15, 2021, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized a suspicious package that came from Mexico with a destination of Omaha.  A drug detection K-9 indicated to the presence of drugs inside the package, and it was searched, resulting in the discovery of 849 grams of pure methamphetamine.  The CBP worked with the DEA’s Omaha Field Division to make a controlled delivery to the listed address.  On October 21, 2021, the package was delivered, by an undercover agent, to the listed address, where a resident told the undercover agent to leave it on the porch.  Eventually, two individuals, later identified as Esparza and Jerrilee Barajas arrived.  Esparza exited the vehicle and took possession of the package, after which both were arrested.

Barajas has pleaded guilty to the same charge, with sentencing scheduled on October 6, 2023.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Drug Enforcement Administration.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Davion Jackson, 26, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distributing marijuana and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Jackson to 1 month imprisonment on the drug charge and a consecutive 60 months of imprisonment on the firearm charge, for a total sentence of 61 months.  There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On July 15, 2020, during a controlled buy in Omaha, a confidential source, equipped with audio/visual equipment, purchased 15.1 grams of marijuana and a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun from Jackson. This event was monitored by law enforcement. The marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance, was confirmed via forensic laboratory analysis as to both weight and substance.

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 Kimberly Watts, 36, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for Distribution of Fentanyl Analogue Resulting in Death.  Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Watts to 240 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After her release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On August 22, 2022, Watts provided the victim with fentanyl at the Travel Inn at 108th and L Streets, Omaha, Nebraska.  The victim, 31, went back to his apartment, where he used the controlled substance and subsequently died.  The fentanyl was a contributing cause of the victim’s overdose death.  

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Overdose Task Force, which is comprised of members of law enforcement from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Omaha Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Joseph Harris, 40, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Omaha by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual). Harris was sentenced to 151 months in prison and will also serve 5 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Starting on March 1, 2021, Harris sold more than 500 grams of methamphetamine to a witness cooperating with law enforcement. On April 20, 2021, a different cooperating witness working with law enforcement purchased 415 grams of methamphetamine from Harris in Omaha. Over the course of the next month, the cooperator met with Harris on several occasions and made payments to him for the methamphetamine. During these visits the two discussed possible future transactions but they never materialized.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Roger Hudson, 41, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for selling firearms to a felon and possessing unregistered firearms.  Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Hudson to 41 months in the Bureau of Prisons on each charge to run concurrently.  After completing his prison term, Hudson will begin a two-year term of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Between March 24, 2022, and November 9, 2022, a source working with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) purchased three firearms from Hudson: a .40 caliber handgun and two AR15 rifles. Before the buys, Hudson knew that he was selling the firearms to a felon who is prohibited from possessing gun.  Each of the controlled buys took place in Omaha and were audio and video recorded by the ATF.

On November 9, 2022, Hudson sold an AK-47 rifle with a 30 round high-capacity magazine attached to the rifle to the confidential source.  This buy took place in Omaha and was witnessed by law enforcement officers as well as audio and video recorded.

On December 7, 2022, the confidential source made a controlled buy from Hudson of a fully operational, defaced sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun. The shotgun had an overall length of less than 26 inches and a barrel of less than 18 inches thus rendering it classified as a “short barreled shotgun” under the National Firearms Act. A search of the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record by agents determined that the firearm was not registered to Hudson and no tax stamp had been issued for the gun. The firearm’s serial number was also defaced.

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 Karre Christine O’Dell, 43, most recently of Colorado, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 37 months’ imprisonment for Possession with Intent to Distribute 5 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (actual) and Possession of a Document Making Implement or Authentication Feature. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, O’Dell will serve a 4-year term of supervised release.

On October 15, 2021, officers with the Omaha Police Department were called to the Cambria Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska, regarding a theft. Upon arrival officers were directed to O’Dell’s room by hotel staff. Upon entering O’Dell’s hotel room, officers found methamphetamine and equipment consistent with manufacturing identification documents and credit cards, to include printers, papers with apparent photo IDs, and photocopies of credit cards. A search warrant was obtained for the room and officers found additional blank checks and blank credit cards.

Two storage units rented by O’Dell were also located and searched pursuant to a search warrant. In the storage unit officers found several boxes of identification documents to include identification documents in various stages of manufacture. Officers also found packaging consistent with narcotics distribution and a scale.

The methamphetamine found in O’Dell’s room was submitted for testing at the Nebraska Public Service Laboratory and was found to be 19.95 grams of methamphetamine actual.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Christopher Allen Williams, 32, of Fort Worth, Texas, was sentenced on August 23, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for his involvement in a string of pharmacy burglaries that occurred in Nebraska.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Williams to 63 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Williams will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Williams was also ordered to pay $24,917 in restitution.

From February 10, 2021 to February 12, 2021, seven Nebraska pharmacies, located in Springfield, Fremont, and Omaha, were burglarized.  In response, a Drug Enforcement Administration-led task force was formed, which included the Omaha Police Department and Nebraska State Patrol.  Analyzing cell-tower data, videos taken from the burglaries, and historical cell phone location data, the task force was able to identify specific cell phones that were present at the different burglaries.  It was determined from the data that the cell phones were traveling between Texas and Nebraska via Interstate 35.  With cooperation from law enforcement agencies in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Iowa, it was determined that two individuals involved in the pharmacy burglaries were Christopher Blanton and Christopher Williams.

“Today’s verdict is a testament to the combined efforts of state, local and federal law enforcement agencies working across five states,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Justin C. King said. “It is the responsibility of the DEA to investigate these cases of theft from pharmacies and we are grateful for the assistance of our partners in finding, arresting, and sentencing two individuals who crossed state lines while putting our community members at risk.”

Blanton was sentenced on May 17, 2023, to 63 months’ imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Omaha Police Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Timothy Alan Moore, 58, of Roca, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Moore was sentenced to 200 months in prison and will also serve 5 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Additionally, Moore will forfeit to the United States $9,930 in U.S. currency that was seized during the investigation. 

On June 28, 2021, investigators with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Task Force executed a search warrant for Moore’s residence in Roca.  During the search, officers found three baggies of suspected methamphetamine weighing 318.5 grams, 8.7 grams, and 2.5 grams.  Officers also found a handgun with a magazine containing 8 rounds of ammunition and a total of $9,930 in U.S. currency.

A lab determined that the baggie weighing 318.5 grams contained about 310.91 grams of methamphetamine, of which at least 290 grams were pure methamphetamine.  The other baggies were confirmed by the lab to contain methamphetamine.  The currency seized was the proceeds of drug sales or used to facilitate Moore’s sale of methamphetamine.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Willis Parker, 32, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 24, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Parker to 120 months in prison.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After Parker’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release. 

From about July of 2016 to November of 2020, Parker was part of a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana.  The conspiracy involved over 500 grams of methamphetamine and over 100 kilograms of marijuana.  Parker was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana in the Omaha area. 

On November 23, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Parker’s Omaha residence.  Officers located approximately 80 pills containing methamphetamine, 0.205 kilograms of marijuana, and a digital scale.  Parker possessed the methamphetamine and marijuana during and in furtherance of the conspiracy.  Officers also located seven destructive devices similar to a bomb.  Parker was previously charged federally and sentenced to 37 months in prison for possessing the destructive devices. 

Co-defendants Ty-Sean Nunn, George Buck, Dominique Thomas, Anthony Hill-Gaines, and Jerrell Jackson have all pleaded guilty to charges related to the drug conspiracy.  Thomas was sentenced on June 7, 2023, to 90 months in prison.  Buck was sentenced on July 26, 2023, to 120 months in prison.  Nunn was sentenced on August 17, 2023, to 168 months in prison.  Hill-Gaines was sentenced on August 17, 2023, to 90 months in prison.  Jackson is pending sentencing.  Only co-defendant Terrance Traynham is pending trial.  Traynham was previously sentenced to 106 months in federal prison for conduct related to this conspiracy.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Willie Harbour, 61, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for being a felon in possession of a destructive device. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Harbour to 57 months’ imprisonment. Upon release from prison, Harbour will be required to complete a 3-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

In the early morning hours of August 2, 2022, Harbour placed an explosive device near an entry door of an apartment at the Benson Towers, an Omaha Housing Authority property.  The explosive device detonated and caused property damage, including collapsing part of an overhead sprinkler system and lights, and damaging a metal door frame such that it trapped the resident inside.  Investigators recovered surveillance video from the Benson Towers which showed Harbour light and place the explosive device.  After he was arrested, Harbour admitted to investigators that he placed the explosive device at the Benson Towers.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Wesley T. Vavra, 51, of Omaha, Nebraska, was found guilty on August 23, 2023, by a jury in federal court in Omaha. Vavra was convicted of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Sentencing is set for November 21, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. before Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. Vavra faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.

Between May 2022 and July 16, 2022, Vavra communicated on the Whisper application and through text messages with someone Vavra thought was interested in “open family play dates”. The other Whisper user was a law enforcement officer working in an undercover (“UC”) capacity pretending to be a father with an 8-year-old child. Vavra arranged to meet the UC on July 18, 2022, to engage in sexual acts with the supposed father’s 8-year-old child. Vavra was arrested upon arrival at the meetup location in Omaha. Vavra’s cell phone was seized. Analysis of Vavra’s phone showed that in addition to communicating with the UC, Vavra was also communicating with someone he thought was a 13-year-old female during this same timeframe. The 13-year-old female was also a law enforcement officer working in an undercover capacity.

This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jordan Wolfe, 25, of Macy, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln for assaulting an officer and violating the terms of his supervised release. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Wolfe to 24 months in prison for assault of an officer and six months in prison for the violation of his term of supervised release to be served consecutively. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Wolfe will serve two years of supervised release.

On March 28, 2022, an officer with the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services responded to a residence in Macy on a request to remove an intoxicated male who was causing a disturbance. The officer identified Wolfe as the male causing a disturbance and learned that he was arguing with his girlfriend. The officer attempted to remove the female from the situation and Wolfe continued to be belligerent and disruptive. When the officer went to place Wolfe under arrest, Wolfe pulled and pushed away from the officer and then punched the officer in the face. Wolfe was taken into custody. At the time, Wolfe was on federal supervised release for assault with a dangerous weapon.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Maggie Welling, 46, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a 15-year term of imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine with a prior serious drug felony. After her release from prison, Welling will begin a10-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Welling pleaded guilty to her offense on November 29, 2022.

Welling was stopped by an officer with the Lincoln Police Department on March 25, 2022, for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, the officer observed drug paraphernalia in her vehicle. The officer then searched the car and located approximately 221 grams of methamphetamine in Welling’s purse. Those drugs were sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory and were found to contain at least 210 grams of actual or pure methamphetamine.

Welling was convicted in the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on October 10, 2018.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Sanjuana Garcia-Ramirez, 40, of Lexington, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Garcia-Ramirez to 78 months of imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After her release from prison, Garcia-Ramirez will begin a four-year term of supervised release.

On January 5, 2021, officers went to Garcia-Ramirez’s Lexington residence after receiving information that she was selling methamphetamine.  Garcia-Ramirez was in drug court at the time in Dawson County, Nebraska, based on a prior conviction for possession of methamphetamine.  Officers searched a bedroom and located multiple baggies of methamphetamine and a scale.  Laboratory tests confirmed there was at least 53 grams of actual methamphetamine.  Garcia-Ramirez intended to distribute the drugs. 

The investigation revealed Garcia-Ramirez used her cell phone to facilitate her drug trafficking.  Messages revealed her asking a drug buyer, “How much are you wanting,” and providing the buyer with the quantity and price of the drugs she could sell.  In a December 2020 message, Garcia-Ramirez wrote, “I’m not using I promise,” and, “It’s all about the money it’s all.”  

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol, the Lexington, Nebraska, Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Eric K. Rose, 36, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Rose to a total of 152 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a four-year term of supervised release.

On January 26, 2022, Rose was staying at the Towne Place Suites Marriott in Omaha. Omaha police narcotics detectives, knowing he was staying there, served a search warrant on his room.  Inside the room, officers located two ounces of methamphetamine, a drug ledger with “Rose” written on it, 15 live 9mm bullets, $3,000 cash, baggies, and a digital scale with methamphetamine residue.  The officers also searched an SUV in the parking lot and located a Smith & Wesson SD40 handgun, a loaded magazine for the gun, and $635 cash. Rose admitted the methamphetamine and gun were his and he confessed to dealing methamphetamine. In particular, he asked his wife to bring the gun to the hotel because his methamphetamine supplier was looking to collect a drug debt.

The $3,635 constitutes drug proceeds or was used to facilitate Rose’s drug trafficking and that has been forfeited to the United States.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jose Emmanuel Hernandez-Gomez, 30, of Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for trafficking methamphetamine.  Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Hernandez-Gomez to 135 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. 

On May 8, 2021, a York County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle containing 27 pounds of methamphetamine.  As part of the investigation, it was determined that the methamphetamine was to be delivered to an address in Omaha.  The Drug Enforcement Administration and Omaha Police Department assisted in transporting the vehicle to Omaha, where an undercover officer then went to the address to deliver the methamphetamine.  Hernandez-Gomez came out of the residence and gave the undercover officer $6,000 and took possession of the methamphetamine.  Hernandez-Gomez was then immediately arrested.

This case was investigated by the York County Sheriff’s Office, DEA, and the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 18 unsealed Indictments charging 24 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.

*          Dalilio Alconini Flores, age 47, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after an aggravated felony conviction on or about August 6, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Patrick S. Carey, age 37, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Carey with felon in possession a firearm on or about March 16, 2023 and continuing to on or about March 17, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Carey with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about March 17, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  

*          Alfonso Carillo, a/k/a Alfonso Carrillo, age 26, of Tolleson, Arizona, and Ceslo Carillo, a/k/a Celso Carrillo. a/k/a Celso Carillo-Alvarso, a/k/a Celso Alvardo. age 43, of Beryl, Utah, are charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Alfonso and Celso with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, from on or about January 1, 2023 and continuing to on or about June 27, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Alfonso and Celso with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine from on or about January 10, 2023 and continuing to on or about June 27, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Laura Carrazco-Barraza, age 59, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after an aggravated felony conviction on or about August 10, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Ricardo Castillo Suarez, age 27, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after a felony conviction on or about June14, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Rogelio Escobar Marroquin, age 44, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after a felony conviction on or about July 13, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Raymundo Green-Chavez, age 59, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after an aggravated felony conviction on or about July 26, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Christopher Grutel, age 22, and Victor Henderson, age 23, are charged with felon in possession of ammunition on or about March 16, 2023 and continuing to on or about March 17, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Walter William Lopez Ramirez, age 32, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about July 29, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Michael E. Loviscek, age 46, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Loviscek with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) from on or about an unknown date and continuing to on or about April 3, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Loviscek with possession of a firearm in connection with the drug offense on or about April 3, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to life imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, a five year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  

*          Valentin Mendoza, Jr., age 43, of San Bernardino, California, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about February 3, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Gregorio Mina-Falcon, age 35, Jose Luis Garcia-Perez, age 22, Eliuth Montero-Barrera, age 23, and Alexis Rodriguez, age 21, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) from on or about July 1, 2023, and continuing to on or about August 2, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Bernardo Ozuna-Rosas, age 33, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about June 13, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Luis Alberto Puentes-Ortiz, age 31, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about July 26, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          John C. Shores, Jr., age 54, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Shores with attempted sexual exploitation of a minor beginning on or about August 4, 2023 and continuing to on or about August 10, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and not more than 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Shores with attempted enticement of a minor beginning on or about August 4, 2023 and continuing to on or about August 10, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to a life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than five-years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Gerald D. Storovich, age 43, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, is charged in a six-count Indictment.  Count I charges Storovich with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about February 15, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Storovich with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about March 2, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five-years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges Storovich with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about March 30, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than four years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count V charges Storovich with felon in possession of a firearm on or about March 30, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count VI charges Storovich with possession of a stolen firearm on or about March 30, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.    

*          Venetia A. Torres, age 43, and Aaron Torres, age 22, are charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Venetia and Aaron with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) from on or about May 1, 2023 and continuing to on or about June 9, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Venetia with felon in possession of a firearm on or about June 9, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  

*          Tiffany Alice Wolfe, age 40, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about April 26, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.