District of Nebraska

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Donald Greuter, Jr., 57, of Upland, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 29, 2023, by Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 114 months’ imprisonment following his conviction for being a felon in possession of firearms. After he completes his prison sentence, Greuter will also serve three years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

In December of 2019, Greuter was on parole for a felony drug distribution conviction. As a convicted felon, Greuter was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. On January 8, 2020, police and parole officers went to Greuter’s home in Upland to conduct a parole search of his property. At the time, Greuter resided with his significant other, Tricia Easley.  While at Greuter’s home, investigators learned that he also owned the property next door, which contained a house. Greuter acknowledged that he owned that property and gave investigators the keys to make entry. Once inside, officers noticed several containers of live ammunition in various calibers. In the same room, officers saw a large combination safe that was locked. Between the safe and the wall, officers found two 12-gauge shotguns inside a gun case.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for both properties and recovered 30 firearms, including eight pistols, eight shotguns, 16 rifles, and several thousand rounds of ammunition. Among the firearms located in the safe was a short shotgun, a defaced rifle, two stolen guns, a 50-caliber rifle, and three semiautomatic rifles with high-capacity magazines. In total, investigators located 32 firearms and more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition.

Four of the firearms recovered by investigators were found to have been purchased at a Grand Island pawn shop. Greuter’s significant other, Tricia Easley, said she purchased these firearms at Greuter’s request and transferred the firearms to him. Greuter provided her with the money to pay for the guns and told her to pick them up from the pawn shop. Greuter was present during more than one of these gun purchases. Pawn shop employees, who were familiar with Greuter, observed him handle at least one of the firearms purchased.  A special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) examined the guns and ammunition and determined that they were manufactured outside the State of Nebraska. For her part, Easley pleaded guilty to transferring a firearm to a prohibited person and is set to be sentenced on August 2, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Trident Drug Task Force, which is made up of officers from the Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff, Hastings Police Department, Adams County Sheriff, Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Jazmyne L. McMiller, 36, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher to twelve months and one day of imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. After McMiller’s release from prison, she will begin a three-year term of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.  McMiller was also ordered to pay restitution of $267,040.20. 

McMiller was the third defendant to be convicted and sentenced in connection with this case.  On February 8, 2023, Sharon M. Thompson, 62, of Oakland, Nebraska, was sentenced by Judge Buescher to four years of probation for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud.  Sharon Thompson was also ordered to pay restitution of $355,020.30.

On May 31, 2023, Todd A. Thompson, 57, of Oakland, Nebraska, was sentenced by Judge Buescher to 41 months’ imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. He will serve two years of supervised release.  Todd Thompson was also ordered to pay restitution of $1,193,957.10.

During 2020 and 2021, all three defendants submitted applications for Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) program loans.  The PPP and EIDL loan programs were created or expanded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, which was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The applications submitted or caused to be submitted by all three defendants misrepresented how much the applicant businesses had paid employees in past compensation and how much revenue each had received, resulting in significantly inflated loan amounts under the PPP and EIDL programs.  The PPP applications were supported by false documents that Todd Thompson helped prepare, including false tax forms that each defendant signed. 

In total, McMiller submitted or caused to be submitted fraudulent applications seeking loans in the amount of approximately $404,324 and obtained $254,324.  The fraudulent applications Sharon Thompson signed sought loans totaling approximately $469,886, and she obtained $344,786. The fraudulent applications Todd Thompson signed sought loans totaling approximately $1,368,892.00, and he obtained $552,892.00.  In total, the three defendants submitted fraudulent applications seeking loans totaling $2,243,102.00 and obtained $1,152,002.00. 

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Jeffrey Bowlin, 55, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for theft of government property. The Honorable Brian C. Buescher sentenced Bowlin to 12 months and one day in prison.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Bowlin will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Bowlin was also ordered to pay $855.37 in restitution.

On multiple occasions in April and May 2022, Bowlin, who had been placed on leave from his position as Manager of Distribution Operations for the United States Postal Service, donned a mask, hood, and gloves and entered the Papillion, Nebraska, Post Office at night and rifled through packages, mail, and postal employee work areas to locate and take cash, controlled substances, and other items of value. At least 40 victims were able to be identified by the United States Postal Service.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that David Gonzalez-Jimenez, 24, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 5, 2023, by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 78 months’ imprisonment to be followed by four years of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Gonzalez-Jimenez pled guilty in March 2023 to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. 

In 2022, Gonzalez-Jimenez delivered approximately one pound of methamphetamine to a cooperating individual.  Officers later recovered approximately $14,425 cash and an additional approximately one pound of methamphetamine from Gonzalez-Jimenez’s residence and vehicle.  The cash was forfeited.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Jeramie D. Watts, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for distributing methamphetamine.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Watts to 12 months plus 1 day imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Watts will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On April 20, 2018, an undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent purchased 11 grams of methamphetamine from Watts for $500 in the parking lot of a West Omaha business. Watts entered the passenger side of the agent’s vehicle and produced the methamphetamine before leaving the area.  A forensic lab confirmed the methamphetamine as weighing 11.7 grams with a purity of 95%.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Eduardo Ordaz, 25, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for distributing 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.  Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Ordaz to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.

On September 28, 2021, law enforcement utilized a cooperating witness (CW) to make a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Ordaz. The controlled buy took place in the CW's vehicle in the area of 23rd and Elm Streets in Omaha.  The CW purchased 46 grams of methamphetamine with a purity of 95%, as confirmed by a forensic laboratory analysis.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Roberto Nava, 49, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Nava to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Nava will begin a five-year term of supervised release.  He will also forfeit $42,000 in drug proceeds to the United States.

In August 2021, Drug Enforcement Administration agents became aware that a person by the name of Roberto Nava was distributing pound quantities of methamphetamine in the Norfolk area.  Utilizing a confidential source, agents made arrangements to purchase methamphetamine on two occasions.  On each buy, Nava arrived and delivered methamphetamine.  On August 24, 2021, Nava delivered one pound of methamphetamine and on September 23, 2021, he delivered two pounds of methamphetamine

Following the controlled buy on September 23, 2021, agents then executed a search warrant on Nava’s residence.  As a result, agents recovered an additional half pound of methamphetamine and $42,000 in drug proceeds.  A forensic laboratory analysis confirmed the methamphetamine as 95% pure. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Luis Lazo-Escobar, 32, of Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Lazo-Escobar to 60 months’ imprisonment and the forfeiture of $12,100.00 in U.S. currency. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On November 20, 2020, the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a 2012 Honda Civic with Luis Lazo-Escobar as the driver. In March 2021, Lexington Police conducted an interview with a subject who knew there was a gun and possibly methamphetamine inside of this vehicle. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, which had been impounded and remained in police custody, and located the following contraband: a 9mm Taurus handgun, 150 rounds of ammunition, and $12,100 in United States currency. Lazo-Escobar is a convicted felon stemming from a possession of a controlled substance conviction in 2017.   

This case was investigated by the Kearney Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Servando Urias, 48, of Mexico, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, to 90 months’ imprisonment by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard, after conviction by a jury in March 2023 of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Heroin. Urias had previously pleaded guilty to being in the country illegally.  He was also ordered to serve a four-year term of supervised release as there is no parole in the federal system.  

The evidence presented at trial revealed that on August 28, 2019, a codefendant driving a Dodge pickup was stopped by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office after committing traffic infractions while driving on Interstate 80 in Lancaster County, Nebraska. Simultaneously, a black Jeep occupied by two other codefendants and Urias was stopped by another Lancaster County Deputy as the Jeep was believed to be travelling with the Dodge pickup.

During the course of the traffic stops, deputies became suspicious that parties in both vehicles were involved in criminal activity. Deputies received permission to search both vehicles and discovered three kilos of cocaine and one kilo of heroin in the rear seat of the Dodge pickup. All were arrested after it was confirmed that the three individuals in the Jeep were in fact traveling with the Dodge pickup containing the drugs.

The three codefendants had previously pleaded guilty to the Conspiracy charge and testified at trial about their and Urias’s involvement in the transportation of the drugs. Two of the three have been sentenced, one to 9 months’ imprisonment, the other to 28 months’ imprisonment. Another codefendant is pending sentencing.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Michael McNeil, 30, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, by Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 84 months’ imprisonment following his conviction for two counts of bank robbery. After he completes his prison sentence, McNeil will also serve six years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. He was ordered to pay $26,034 in restitution to the U.S. Bank in Lincoln, and $15,148.81 in restitution to Heartland Bank in Geneva, Nebraska.

On June 3, 2022, McNeil entered the Heartland Bank in Geneva, approached the teller window, and gave a teller a demand note. The note directed her not to move and to empty the cash drawer and no one would be hurt. McNeil left the bank with $17,088.81 in U.S. currency. He got into a Jeep Cherokee without plates which drove away. Later that afternoon, a motorist on Highway 6, about a ten-minute drive from Geneva, noticed what looked like money on the shoulder of the highway.  He stopped and collected $1,940 cash from the roadside. The motorist turned the money over to law enforcement. Some of the money was wrapped in a distinctive paper band that matched bands wrapped around the bills stolen from Heartland Bank. Investigators obtained fingerprints from the demand note and the teller counter. An FBI forensic examiner found that four prints on the demand note matched McNeil’s fingerprints. The examiner also identified McNeil’s print on the corner of the teller counter. Further investigation revealed that McNeil had purchased a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee through Facebook Marketplace three days before the bank robbery. Heartland Bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

On July 6, 2022, McNeil entered the US Bank in Lincoln, Nebraska, and handed the bank teller a note reading “Empty your drawer! I don't want anyone to get hurt. Just give me the money!!!!”  The teller handed over the money in the drawer and McNeil left with $26,034.00 in U.S. currency. Three days later, McNeil was stopped by Lincoln police driving a car he had purchased a day after the bank robbery. McNeil admitted to robbing US Bank and identified the getaway vehicle as a U-Haul van. Investigators executed a search warrant at McNeil’s Lincoln residence. Investigators found clothing in the trash that matched clothing worn by the robber. Investigators also located an unfinished demand note written in similar handwriting to that passed by the bank robber to the teller. US Bank is insured by the FDIC.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Melecio Meza Salamanca, 29, of Lexington, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Salamanca to 144 months of imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Salamanca will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On October 12, 2021, a Merrick County Nebraska deputy sheriff stopped Salamanca and the co-defendant Mark Barraza as they drove through Central City, Nebraska.  Salamanca was driving and Barraza was in the passenger seat.  The deputy searched the car and located a .45 caliber pistol and approximately 180 grams of actual methamphetamine.  Salamanca was knowingly in possession of the pistol and intended to distribute the methamphetamine.  On March 24, 2023, Barraza was sentenced to 133 months in prison for his role in the offenses.

This case was investigated by the Merrick County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Scott Matthew Simmons, 43, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography and one count of production of child pornography. Simmons was sentenced to 720 months in prison and will serve the remainder of his life on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Simmons was additionally ordered to pay $11,250 in restitution as well as a $9,000 special assessment which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of crimes.

This case initiated in July of 2022 with an investigation by the FBI in an attempt to identify children in a series of child pornography images which were being shared online since 2018. Through the investigation it was determined that the files were associated with Scott Simmons and Scott Meyer. Meyer is currently scheduled to be sentenced on October 2, 2023, regarding the same case.

On August 25, 2022, a search warrant was received to search Simmons’s and Meyer’s residence. During the search warrant, it was determined that the residence was where many of the child exploitation files were produced. Numerous electronic devices were seized from the residence. Meyer was at the residence during the execution of the search warrant. He agreed to be interviewed and admitted that he and Simmons had engaged in photographing and recording prepubescent boys in a sexually explicit manner. He admitted that these images and videos were produced at their residence and other locations to include various hotels. Four child victims were identified and interviewed by child advocate interviewers.

A forensic examination and review were completed of Simmons’s and Meyer’s personal cellphones. Both the phones contained more than 400 files of child pornography. A large majority of these files found on the phones were original productions of the minor victims in this case.

Simmons was previously convicted in 2007 for one count of sexual assault of a child in the 3rd degree in Saline County District Court, Nebraska. Simmons and Meyer met while both were serving sentences for child-sex offenses in Nebraska. Simmons and Meyer distributed the images and videos they produced of the four victims in this case on the Tor network using encrypted forms of email to further hide their identities. They additionally directly shared the files they created with at least one acquaintance they made while serving their prior sentences.

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.

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Taylor Zimmerling, 27, of Falls City, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, by Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 42 months’ imprisonment following her conviction for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. After she completes her prison sentence, Zimmerling will also serve three years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Between January and June of 2021, Zimmerling and co-defendant Daniel Lock distributed methamphetamine in and around Falls City. Several cooperating witnesses told investigators that Zimmerling and Lock, who was also sentenced to 42 months’ incarceration and three years of supervised release, delivered distribution quantities of methamphetamine to them. On June 3, 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at Lock and Zimmerling’s residence in Falls City. Investigators located approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine, scales, packaging material, cash, and a police scanner. A search of cell phones belonging to Lock and Zimmerling revealed messages consistent with drug delivery, sales, and distribution. Zimmerling admitted that she and Lock had been going to another state to obtain methamphetamine which they delivered to others. She admitted that they had just picked up another batch of methamphetamine one day before the residential search warrant. A forensic scientist at the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab found the drug seizure to contain at least 44 grams of pure methamphetamine.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Mani Deng, 31, of Des Moines, Iowa, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 13 months’ imprisonment following his conviction for giving false information during the purchase of firearms. After he completes his prison sentence, Deng will also serve three years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On November 8, 2021, Deng purchased two firearms from Scheels in Omaha, Nebraska, a federally licensed firearms dealer. In connection with each firearm purchase, Deng had to fill out paperwork to include a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) form requiring a purchaser to list a current address. A current address is significant to the purchase of the firearm because, among other reasons, a federally licensed firearms dealer cannot legally sell a firearm to a person without accurate address information on the purchase paperwork. Deng wrote on the form and confirmed to the sales representative from Scheels that his address was located at a residence on North 28th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska; when in fact that was not where he was living on November 8, 2021. Witnesses, including the owners of the North 28th Street residence, told investigators that Deng was not living at that residence as of November 8 when Deng purchased the firearms. Deng admitted that he falsely represented his address with intent to deceive Scheels.

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

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Senior United States District Judge John Gerrard ruled today that Orion J. Ross of Lincoln, Nebraska should be punished for the actions he took that helped bring about the murder of Lincoln Police Department Officer Mario Herrera.  Judge Gerrard specifically found that Ross told his accomplice, Felipe Vazquez, where to get a stolen firearm that was stashed in the bedroom where the two were barricaded together.  LPD officers issued repeated commands for Vazquez to surrender and exit the bedroom peacefully, but instead, Vazquez cocked the firearm Ross made available to him.  Ross then shattered the window of the bedroom in an action intended to distract officers so that Vazquez could escape through the window while firing the weapon.  Vazquez shot Officer Herrera during his escape with the stolen handgun that Ross made available to him.  Judge Gerrard found these actions were part of ongoing conspiracies between Ross, Vazquez, and other members of the No Name Demons gang to possess firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence and drug trafficking.  As a result, Judge Gerrard sentenced Ross to 30 years in federal prison for what the Court called a “senseless and brutal murder.”  The Court further described its familiarity with the No Name Demons gang overall as a gang that espoused “extreme violence,” a “code of silence,” and the Court noted that there were many other victims of this gang’s violent acts.   Ross is subject to 6 years of supervised release following the 30-year term of imprisonment.

Ross was charged in his indictment with eleven other members of the No Name Demons gang. Many of those defendants were previously sentenced by Judge Gerrard to include:

Isaiah James Dorsey, sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for his role in a gang rape and for firearms conspiracy in furtherance of crimes of violence.

Krysean Reynolds, sentenced to 200 months in federal prison for his role in a gang rape and for firearms conspiracy in furtherance of crimes of violence.

Lorenzo Anderson, sentenced to 102 months in federal prison for firearms conspiracy.

Yuko Gusko, sentenced to 90 months in federal prison for firearms conspiracy.

Rice Hill, sentenced to 88 months in federal prison for firearms conspiracy.

Kyce Davis, sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for firearms conspiracy.

Kallam Yiel, sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for firearms conspiracy.

Bryan Castillo, sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for firearms conspiracy.

Three other defendants have yet to be sentenced. Tang Lian is the next defendant set to be sentenced in the case on July 19, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.

Following the sentencing today, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, "As a member of a violent gang, Orion Ross terrorized Lincoln neighborhoods; ultimately leading to the death of one of our own.  Ross may not have pulled the trigger, but his actions make him just as responsible for the killing of Officer Mario Herrera.  While no sentence will bring Officer Herrera back or end his family’s pain, the FBI, and our federal, local, and state partners in the Lincoln Safe Streets Gang Task Force, hope they can take some comfort in the fact this violent gang has been dismantled and its members are behind bars. “

This case was primarily investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lincoln Police Department with operational assistance from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Cameron Carodine, 33, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Carodine to 90 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge and a consecutive 60 months of imprisonment on the firearm charge, for a total sentence of 150 months.  There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On February 25, 2020, during a controlled buy in Omaha, a confidential source, equipped with audio and visual recording devices, purchased 500 fentanyl pills from Carodine.  On March 5, 2020, law enforcement was conducting surveillance at Carodine’s residence in anticipation of serving a federal search warrant. Carodine exited the home and drove away in a gray 2012 Chevrolet Malibu without license plates.  Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and took Carodine into custody.  Carodine’s residence was searched, and several hundred fentanyl pills and a Glock 21, .45 caliber handgun were seized. 

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

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that John Wade Burton, 67, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln by Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a 14-year term of imprisonment for possession of child pornography. After he completes his prison sentence, Burton will serve a ten-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Burton was also ordered to pay $21,000 in restitution. Burton was convicted following a jury trial which concluded on February 15, 2023.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received a tip from a foreign law enforcement agency that an IP address originating from the United States had accessed a couple of child pornography websites on The Onion Router (TOR) network. The tip traced back to Burton’s residence in Lincoln. The FBI obtained a search warrant for Burton’s home, and the warrant was executed on November 17, 2020. Several electronic devices were seized from the home and later examined by the FBI. Devices found in Burton’s bedroom, basement, and a hard drive located in the garage all contained files depicting child pornography. In total, more than 200 videos, and more than 1,800 images depicting child pornography were discovered. Pictures of the defendant, a copy of his driver’s license, and his resume were also located on a couple of those same devices.

Burton was interviewed by an FBI agent. He said he used a program which is designed to access the TOR network, and which is supposed to avoid leaving evidence on the computer of having accessed the TOR network. The defendant said he used that program to access the TOR network at least 100 times between February 14, 2018, and November 17, 2020.

Burton was previously convicted in Missouri of having sexually assaulted a child who was less than 14 years old. He was sentenced to prison for that offense and was in custody from February 15, 2007, to February 14, 2018. When the search warrant was executed in this case, Burton was on parole for that offense.

At the time his home was searched, Burton lived with his then 89-year-old father. His father passed away on March 5, 2021, after the search warrant was served, and before Burton’s trial. At trial, Burton argued his deceased father was the person who was responsible for having downloaded all the child pornography. At today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Gerrard told Burton, “The jury did not believe you, and neither do I.”

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol and the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department. 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.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Steven Michael Luedtke, 47, of Denton, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 29, 2023, to 15 years of imprisonment for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture, five kilograms or more of  cocaine and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, with a prior serious drug felony conviction, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard.  Following his release from prison, Luedtke will serve 10 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Information provided to law enforcement indicated between January of 2020 and June of 2021, Luedtke was a member of a conspiracy to obtain methamphetamine and other drugs in Mexico, Texas, Colorado, and Alabama for transport to the Lincoln, Nebraska area for resale.  Luedtke provided other members of the conspiracy with cash to buy drugs, made trips to obtain drugs, and sold firearms to another member of the conspiracy. 

In March of 2021, Luedtke was contacted by law enforcement and was found in possession of approximately ¼ ounce of methamphetamine, ¼ ounce of marijuana and a digital scale.  He admitted having purchased more than 70 ounces of methamphetamine for resale over the prior year.  In June of 2021, Luedtke was contacted again and was found in possession of approximately 1 ¼ ounces of methamphetamine, 1 ½ ounces of marijuana, another digital scale and packaging materials.  He admitted he had just purchased an ounce of methamphetamine before being contacted by officers.

Luedtke had a prior conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the District of Nebraska.  He was sentenced to 180 months in prison in that case in March of 2006.

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

Career prosecutor Susan T. Lehr has been named the Acting United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska to take over following the retirement of Interim United States Attorney Steven A. Russell.  Lehr’s appointment will be effective on July 1, 2023. 

Lehr, a 1988 graduate of the Denver University College of Law, has been with the United States Attorney’s Office since 1999.  Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lehr worked as a prosecutor in the Buffalo and Douglas County Attorneys’ Offices. Lehr is originally from Omaha. During her tenure with the Department of Justice, Lehr has handled a wide variety of criminal cases and currently serves as the District of Nebraska’s First Assistant United States Attorney.  She also completed a detail assignment to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C. Lehr will serve until a new U.S. Attorney is appointed by the President. 

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jason Stoolman, 51, of Papillion, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for distributing child pornography.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Stoolman to 132 months of imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After completing his term of imprisonment, Stoolman will begin a five-year term of supervised release.  Stoolman must also pay $18,000 in restitution.  

On September 20, 2020, Stoolman distributed child pornography online via Kik.  Between February of 2021 and April 2021, Stoolman uploaded child pornography to Kik.  On March 23, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Stoolman’s Omaha residence.  Officers obtained Stoolman’s iPad and located approximately 1,421 files of child pornography involving prepubescent children on it.  Stoolman was knowingly in possession of this child pornography. 

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

United States Attorney Steven A. Russell announced that Daniel M. Gutirez, 43, of Del Norte, Colorado, was sentenced on June 26, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Firearm in Connection with Drug Trafficking. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Gutirez to 160 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. He was also ordered to serve a five-year term of supervised release after his release from prison.   

On December 1, 2021, Gutirez and co-defendant Sheri Griego were stopped while driving in the area of 8th and Brown Streets in Omaha after officers observed their vehicle commit several traffic infractions. After speaking with the two, officers became suspicious that they were involved in criminal activity. Gutirez was asked if he had any weapons. He said he had a gun in his waistband. He was detained and the handgun was found. A search of his person revealed a quantity of methamphetamine. A search of the car revealed a rifle and 67 grams of methamphetamine along with drug paraphernalia.

Co-defendant Griego is currently scheduled for trial starting August 8, 2023.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jose Saul Delira, 49, of McAllen, Texas, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 17 years’ imprisonment for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture, 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine, and unspecified amounts of cocaine and marijuana, with a prior serious drug felony conviction.  Following his release from prison, Delira will serve 10 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Information provided to law enforcement indicated between August of 2020 and February of 2021, Delira was a member of a conspiracy to obtain methamphetamine and other drugs in Mexico, Texas, and Arizona, for transport to the Lincoln, Nebraska, area for resale.  Delira introduced Lincoln residents to drug sources in Mexico and assisted with efforts to transport drugs from source locations to Lincoln. 

In November of 2020, Delira was staying in Lincoln at the residence of another person involved in the drug trafficking organization. A search warrant was executed at that residence.  During the search, investigators found more than 1/3 of a pound of methamphetamine, approximately one ounce of cocaine, four pounds of marijuana, assorted pills, firearms, and drug packaging materials.

Delira had a prior conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in the District of Nebraska.  He was sentenced to 188 months in prison in that case in April of 2005.

Delira’s co-defendant, Richard Garza, is scheduled for trial in August of 2023.

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

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jose Rumualdo-Gallardo, 31, of Mexico, was sentenced on June 26, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for his involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug conspiracy.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Rumualdo-Gallardo to 120 months’ imprisonment for the drug conspiracy and 60 months’ imprisonment for the firearm offense.  The sentences are to run consecutive.  Rumualdo-Gallardo also forfeited $2,527 in drug proceeds.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Rumualdo-Gallardo will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

In February 2022, the Omaha Police Department arrested Michael Lee in possession of 44 grams of pure methamphetamine.  Investigators were able to determine that the methamphetamine was obtained from Rumualdo-Gallardo.  Investigators utilized a cooperating source and purchased 49 grams of pure methamphetamine on both February 22, 2022, and March 1, 2022.  On March 8, 2022, a search warrant was executed on Rumualdo-Gallardo’s residence which resulted in the seizure of an additional 242 grams of methamphetamine, a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun, and $2,527.

Michael Lee is set for sentencing on September 6, 2023.

This case was investigated primarily by the Omaha Police Department.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Andrew Scott Lawrence, 42, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 27, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Lawrence to 15 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Lawrence will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.

On March 18, 2022, officers of the Lincoln Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force served a search warrant at Lawrence’s Lincoln residence.  Lawrence was in a bathroom actively trying to dispose of methamphetamine down a shower drain and flush additional amounts down a toilet. Approximately 135 grams of methamphetamine were retrieved from the bathroom. Officers also found 434 grams of methamphetamine and $17,622 in a bedroom.  As part of his guilty plea, Lawrence agreed the currency was proceeds from illegal drug sales or used to facilitate drug trafficking. The money has been forfeited.

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

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced the Daniel Hutsell, 42, of Blair, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 28, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for distribution of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Hutsell to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Hutsell with begin a five-year term of supervised release. Hutsell will be required to register as a sex offender.

On or about September 13, 2021, Stelivo, LLC, a business that runs several real-time chat websites, including freechatnow.com, identified one image of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct that was distributed through its server. Through a cybertip, Stelivo reported that a user with a freechatnow.com username, G|teachrr, sent the image to other freechatnow.com users. The image showed an 8- to 10-year-old female child exposing her genitalia in a sexually explicit manner.

Stelivo captured the IP address of the user account that was used to distribute the image. Law enforcement obtained information related to the IP address, which ultimately identified Hutsell as the subscriber and that he resided in Nebraska. Stelivo identified additional uploads of images from the same username and IP address using freechatnow.com, which included approximately 10 images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

On November 30, 2021, law enforcement executed a search of Hutsell’s residence in Blair. At the time of the search warrant, Hutsell, an assistant principal with Blair Community Schools, admitted to law enforcement that he used a computer and freechatnow.com to trade pornography. Hutsell admitted he had seen the previously mentioned image of the 8- to 10-year-old female child exposing her genitalia in a sexually explicit manner.

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 Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Juan Felipe-Carmona, 34, originally of Mexico but residing illegally in Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Felipe-Carmona to 120 months’ imprisonment.  He was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release after his release from prison. There is no parole in the federal system. He faces potential deportation following the completion of his prison sentence.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant on defendant’s residence in Omaha on September 9, 2021.  During the execution of the warrant, officers located a small amount of methamphetamine and through further investigation learned defendant distributed at least 24 pounds of methamphetamine to others in the Omaha area from approximately July 2020 through September 2021.  Defendant was previously removed from the United States on three occasions for unlawfully being present in the country. 

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

After 37 years of service, United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska Steven A. Russell announced today that he intends to retire on June 30, 2023. 

An alumnus of the University of Nebraska College of Law (Class of 1982), Russell joined the United States Attorney’s Office in 1985, briefly serving in Omaha before moving to Lincoln in January 1986. Russell handled a wide variety of civil and criminal matters, including civil litigation, white collar fraud, tax crimes, drug trafficking, civil rights violations and crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.  During his time in the office, Russell has served at various times as Branch Manager for the Lincoln U.S Attorney’s Office, Senior Litigation Counsel, Appellate Coordinator and First Assistant United States Attorney.  On June 1, 2022, Russell was appointed as Acting United States Attorney and later appointed by the United States District Court to serve as Interim United States Attorney, a position he has held since.  The United States District Court will appoint Russell’s successor to take over as Interim United States Attorney following the end of his service until such time as a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney is named. 

Russell said, “It is an honor to have served the citizens of Nebraska in the United States Attorney’s Office for the past nearly 38 years.  It is a privilege to have worked with many talented law enforcement agents who are dedicated public servants truly desiring to make their communities safer every day.  I am humbled to have been employed with so many excellent attorneys and support staff during my tenure here.  I was incredibly fortunate to have practiced before the finest judges in the country, whose intelligence, temperament, and commitment to the rule of law made each of them the living embodiment of what a great judge should be. There can be no greater source of professional pride than saying to the Court or a jury that ‘my name is Steve Russell, and I am an Attorney representing the United States of America.’  It has been a joy and pleasure to have worked in the United States Attorney’s Office.”     

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Ryan Arrants, 43, of Alliance, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Arrants to 180 months of imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Arrants will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On April 20, 2021, law enforcement in Alliance conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine and a Ruger handgun from Arrants.  A confidential informant went to Arrants’s residence and purchased the methamphetamine and the handgun for $450. 

On August 9, 2021, officers executed a search warrant of Arrants’s Alliance residence and located approximately 115 grams of methamphetamine.  Arrants was knowingly in possession of the methamphetamine and intended to distribute it. 

This case was investigated by the Alliance Police Department, the Scottsbluff Police Department, the WING Drug Task Force, and the Nebraska State Patrol. 

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Gary Payton, 40, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 20, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Payton to imprisonment for 72 months. Upon release from prison, Payton will be required to complete a 5-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On June 29, 2022, Lancaster County Sherriff’s deputies observed a red Camaro with an inoperable driver’s side taillight. They initiated a traffic stop. While approaching the vehicle, officers saw the driver attempting to give something to the passenger. The driver, identified as Gary Payton, told the deputy that his license was suspended. Another deputy spoke with the passenger. The passenger produced a Nebraska identification card and deputies determined that her driver’s license was also suspended. One of the deputies observed an open alcoholic beverage container behind the passenger seat and within reaching distance of both Payton and the passenger.

Deputies searched the Camaro and its contents. A deputy opened the passenger’s bag found on the front passenger side where she had been sitting and observed a large gallon-sized bag containing suspected methamphetamine. Within the gallon-sized bag were four bags containing suspected methamphetamine. Deputies performed a field test on the substance in one of the bags and confirmed that the substance was methamphetamine. Payton and the passenger were both arrested.

Deputies seized Payton’s phone and obtained a warrant to search it. The search of the phone yielded evidence of communications between the passenger and Payton. In one communication, Payton sent the passenger a photo of two bags of suspected methamphetamine. They also found evidence of communications with others relating to drug trafficking. The suspected methamphetamine from the vehicle was sent to the lab for testing. The lab determined there were 193.7 grams of methamphetamine, a distribution quantity.

The passenger was indicted by the Grand Jury in a separate case, which is pending before the Court.

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

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Kalem L. Barber, 24, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for the unlawful storage of explosive materials. United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson sentenced Barber to two years’ probation and 50 hours of community service. There is no parole in the federal system. Magistrate Judge Nelson also ordered Barber to pay a $500 fine.

On November 26, 2021, Douglas County Sherriff’s Deputies responded to an explosion of a porta potty located at a construction site in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. Deputies reported that multiple juveniles were present and immediately fled the area after the explosion.  Information obtained during the course of the investigation resulted in a December 2, 2021, FBI search warrant of an Omaha residence where Barber had been living.  Within the residence the FBI found explosive materials to include approximately 20lbs of flash powder located in an unsecured box-styled container.  Barber was using the explosive materials to make homemade fireworks.

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

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jason C. Olderbak, 35, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for unlawful possession of official U.S. insignia. Olderbak was sentenced to two years of probation, a $3,000 fine, and 50 hours of community service. There is no parole in the federal system.

On or about July 30, 2021, Jason Olderbak purchased approximately 21 false COVID-19 vaccination cards online.  On August 3, 2021, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) received the package as it was entering the United States from overseas.  Recognizing the package as being similar to other fraudulent packages, CBP opened the package and discovered the 21 fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards.  A search warrant was received to perform a controlled delivery for the package.  The search warrant was executed on August 18, 2021.  Olderbak’s cellphone and other electronic devices were also seized during the investigation.  Later examination of those devices revealed web history consistent with the purchase of the fraudulent vaccination cards.

Legitimate COVID-19 vaccination cards are produced in the United States and are shipped directly to medical professionals alongside the COVID-19 vaccination doses the cards are intended to go with.  Each true COVID-19 vaccination card bears the seal of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which is a public health agency of the United States Federal Government under the Department of Health and Human Services.  The cards ordered and received by Olderbak were nearly identical to legitimate COVID-19 vaccination cards.  The seal/insignia of the CDC was affixed to the false COVID-19 vaccination card documents purchased and received by Olderbak.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Joshua Sund, 42, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for two counts of production of child pornography. Sund was sentenced to 400 months in prison and will also serve 10 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Sund was additionally ordered to pay $3,000 which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of crimes.

This case began on November 3, 2021, when a concerned individual reported to the Hastings Police Department that he had purchased a laptop from Joshua Sund and that he had found videos on the computer that appeared to be Sund engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a prepubescent minor.  Law enforcement received a search warrant for the device and performed a forensic download.  Law enforcement located the videos in question from the download of the laptop computer.  They identified Sund as the male in the videos.  There were seven videos depicting Sund engaged in sexually explicit conduct with the prepubescent minor which occurred on five separate occasions spanning a period of approximately a year and a half.

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 Hastings Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Dejuan Wynne, 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for Escaping from Custody.  United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Wynne to 24 months’ imprisonment.  He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after his release from prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

On April 28, 2022, Wynne escaped from his designated Bureau of Prisons placement at Dismas Charities in Omaha. Wynne was serving a sentence based on a prior conviction for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  On May 5, 2022, the Metro Fugitive Task Force located Wynne at a Mega Saver parking lot in Omaha. Wynne was located with a stolen firearm. Wynne was convicted in Douglas County for possessing the firearm and his federal sentence in the instant offense will run consecutive to his state sentence of 25-30 years.

This case was investigated by the Metro Fugitive Task Force.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 10 unsealed Indictments charging 12 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.

*          Ciprian Amariutei, a/k/a Steffano Ferrari, a/k/a Gianluca Ferrer, age 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, and Mona Maria Tataru, a/k/a Maria Murino, age 32, of Los Angeles, California, are charged in a four-count Indictment.  Count I charges Amariutei and Tataru with illegal possession, production, or trafficking in device making equipment on or about April 23, 2023 and continuing to on or about April 25, 2023.  The 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 Amariutei and Tataru with possession of fifteen or more devices which are counterfeit and unauthorized on or about April 23, 2023 and continuing to on or about April 25, 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.  Count III charges Amariutei with aggravated identity theft on or about April 23, 2023 and continuing to on or about April 25, 2023.  The penalty if convicted is an additional 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Tataru with aggravated identity theft on or about April 23, 2023 and continuing to on or about April 25, 2023.  The penalty if convicted is an additional 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency and property seized.

*          Latjor Gony, age 28, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Gony with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person on or about July 21, 2020 and continuing to on or about December 28, 2021.  The 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 Gony with illegal possession of a machine gun on or about July 21, 2020 and continuing to on or about December 28, 2021.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Victor Aaron Gonzales, age 37, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Gonzales with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture), a detectable amount of cocaine and a detectable amount of marijuana on or about February 1, 2022 and continuing to on or about November 17, 2022.  The 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 life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Gonzales with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about November 16, 2022.  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 life term of supervised release consecutive, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Dexter D. Hall, age 36, is charged with a prohibited person in possession of ammunition on or about February 8, 2023.  The penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Thomas Janes, age 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with possession of child pornography on or about March 9, 2023.  The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than five years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $5,100 special assessment. 

*          Salome Juarez-Castro, age 24, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about May 22, 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.

*          Miguel Angel Lopez Aguirre, age 30, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after an aggravated felony conviction on or about April 19, 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. 

*          Brian E. Nielsen, age 46, of Oakland, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about February 24, 2023.  The 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 life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          David Sikes, age 68, of Alma, Nebraska, is charged with harboring or concealing a person from arrest on or about January 17, 2018 and continuing to on or about January 14, 2022.  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. 

*          Alphonso Johnson, Jr., age 45, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Stacey Vanarsdale, age 36, of Lincoln, Nebraska, are charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Johnson and Vanarsdale with conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), on or about July 9, 2022 and continuing to on or about August 10, 2022.  The 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 life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Johnson and Vanarsdale with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about August 10, 2022.  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 life term of supervised release consecutive, and a $100 special assessment. 

United States Attorney Steven A. Russell announced that Bumatet G. Duop, 25, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possessing a stolen firearm.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher, sentenced Duop to 15 months imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his federal sentence is complete, Duop will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

The defendant is presently serving a 10-year prison term in the Clarinda Iowa Department of Corrections following a conviction for intimidation with a dangerous weapon imposed in April 2022.  After his release from state custody, Duop will begin serving his federal sentence.

On January 26, 2022, the Omaha Police Department executed a Court authorized search warrant at Duop’s Omaha residence to look for firearms and drugs. Duop was found in a bedroom of the residence where officers also located at Taurus 9mm handgun, which had been stolen out of Lincoln, Nebraska, on September 12, 2020.

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

United States Attorney Steven A. Russell announced that Jermaine L. Lewis, 24, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for being a prohibited person (felon) in possession of a firearm.  Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Lewis to 43 months imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his federal sentence is complete, Lewis will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On May 7, 2021, officers observed several parties congregating at an abandoned Omaha residence, including Lewis.  While there, Lewis reached into the passenger side of a car and appeared to wrap an unknown item inside the car. Lewis then appeared to bend down outside the vehicle near the front porch. Later that evening, shot spotter alerted law enforcement to 35 shots fired near a residence within 400 feet of the abandoned residence.  Digital surveillance showed that Lewis’ car was at the residence during this time.

Officers discovered a rifle and box of ammunition concealed in a blanket under the front porch of the abandoned residence.  On May 8, 2021, officers saw Lewis’ car arrive at the abandoned residence and observed him walking up to the house and bending down to look for the rifle.

On July 12, 2021, officers submitted swabs taken from the rifle to the University of Nebraska Medical Center DNA lab, which compared it to a buccal swab taken from Lewis.  The DNA results concluded that Lewis could not be excluded as a contributor, and that it was eleven thousand times more likely to be his DNA than that of another unrelated individual.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Steven A. Russell announced that Rolando E. Midder, 43, was found guilty on June 9, 2023, following a four-day jury trial in federal court for Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Producing Child Pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert Rossiter scheduled Midder’s sentencing for September 1, 2023, at 2p.m. Midder faces up to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of fifteen years.

The evidence at trial showed that Midder began living with a minor female in February of 2022. Midder advertised the minor girl as being available for commercial sex acts, communicated with individuals who expressed interest in the postings, and coordinated days, times, and locations for the commercial sex acts to occur. These advertisements continued until Midder’s arrest on June 27, 2022. After being recovered by law enforcement, the minor female was observed to be extremely malnourished and had numerous bruises, burns, and scars on her. She expressed fear that Midder would kill her if he learned she had spoken with law enforcement. Upon Midder’s arrest, a search warrant for his phone was obtained. Law enforcement located videos he had filmed, showing himself forcing the minor to engage in a sex act with him.

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 Omaha’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Antonio Thomas Sioux Baker, 27, of Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced June 7, 2023, for assault of an intimate or dating partner resulting in substantial bodily injury. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Baker to 3 years imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Baker will begin a three-year term of supervised release.

In March of 2022, Baker assaulted the victim at a gas station on the Winnebago Reservation. The victim, who had been in a dating relationship with Baker, got into a physical altercation with another woman who was at the gas station with Baker. Baker intervened and pushed the victim to the ground. After the victim got up, Baker continued to push the victim who eventually retreated from the altercation with the other woman and with Baker. Baker pursued the victim and struck her in the mouth. The victim lost a tooth and had a large laceration to her lip, requiring stitches. The incident was caught on video by a bystander at the gas station.  

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Steven A. Russell announced that Dominique Thomas, 31, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Thomas to 90 months of imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Thomas will begin a three-year term of supervised release.

From about July of 2016 to April of 2020, Thomas was part of a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana, in the Omaha area.  Thomas was involved in the distribution of the drugs.  During the conspiracy, on January 12, 2019, Thomas was stopped in Omaha with about 86 ecstasy pills.  Then in August of 2019, officers intercepted THC vials that a co-defendant sent from Stockton, California, to Thomas.  During a portion of the conspiracy, Thomas resided at an Omaha residence which served as a drug involved premises that the conspirators used to facilitate the drug trafficking.

Co-defendants Ty-Sean Nunn, George Buck, Willis Parker, Anthony Hill-Gaines, and Jerrell Jackson have all pled guilty to charges related to the conspiracy.  They are all 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.

United States Attorney Steven A. Russell announced that Christopher J. Fernandez, 33, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for the distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual).  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher, sentenced Fernandez to 78 months imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his federal sentence is complete, Fernandez will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.

On March 11, 2020, an Omaha Police Department-Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confidential source equipped with audio and video recording equipment purchased 58 grams of methamphetamine from Fernandez at his residence. Following this purchase, Fernandez was arrested and charged with distribution of methamphetamine.

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

United States Attorney Steven A. Russell announced on June 7, 2023, that Anne Marie Flynn, age 45, of Luxemburg, Iowa, was sentenced in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, after having pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Flynn to 63 months’ imprisonment. She was also ordered to serve a 4-year term of supervised release as there is no parole in the federal system.   

On August 26, 2021, an officer with the Omaha Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle. In the vehicle officers located  five pounds of methamphetamine and two firearms. An investigation revealed that Anne Flynn  rented  the vehicle and it was used to drive to Colorado to pick up loads of methamphetamine purchased from codefendant Melanie McDonald. Agents corroborated this information through rental receipts showing Flynn rented vehicles used for trips to Colorado. Agents also found Facebook messages between Flynn and McDonald where the two discussed their involvement in the conspiracy. Agents also located a phone call where Flynn admitted renting the car the methamphetamine was found in.   

Codefendant McDonald is currently scheduled for trial starting July 18, 2023.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Omaha Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Karina Rae Dieter, 51, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for her participation in a methamphetamine conspiracy.  Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Dieter to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, Dieter will begin a four-year term of supervised release.

In May 2020, the Holt County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, and United States Postal Inspection Service began investigating a methamphetamine drug trafficking organization based out of the Norfolk area.  As part of the investigation, it was determined that Katherine Tacheira was sending packages from California to recipients in Norfolk.  Dieter was found to have received 198 grams of methamphetamine from the packages.  When she was arrested on the federal warrant, Dieter was in possession of 93 grams of pure methamphetamine.  In addition to Dieter, Dallas Rhinehart, and Lindsey Rokahr were also found to have received packages of methamphetamine from Tacheira.

Tacheira was sentenced on May 17, 2023, to 120 months’ imprisonment.  Rhinehart was sentenced on March 13, 2023, to 130 months’ imprisonment.  Rokahr has entered a guilty plea to the conspiracy and is set for sentencing on August 4, 2023.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Nicolas A. Decosta, 27, of California, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiring to distribute pharmaceutical controlled substances. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Decosta to imprisonment for 78 months. Upon release from prison, Decosta will be required to complete a 3-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

In the fall of 2019 investigators accessed an online dark net marketplace called “Empire Market” where they observed vendor “norco_king” advertising the sale of pharmaceutical controlled substances such as Oxycodone and Hydrocodone. Over the course of the investigation, investigators made a series of controlled buys of pharmaceutical controlled substances from norco_king on the dark net using an undercover identity. Norco_king accepted payment via Bitcoin and later Monero, both cryptocurrencies. The parcels containing the drugs were mailed from California to an undercover address in Omaha. Investigators reviewed surveillance video from the originating post offices in the vicinity of Desert Hot Springs, California, and identified Decosta’s codefendant, Jamal Holdman, as a suspect.

On June 21, 2021, investigators served a warrant to search Holdman’s residence in Desert Hot Springs. Upon searching the residence, investigators seized approximately 21,000 pills including a significant number of pharmaceutical controlled substances in Holdman’s bedroom including opioids Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Morphine Sulfate, Hydromorphone, Tapentadol, Methadone, and Tramadol, several amphetamines including Lisdexamfetamine (commercially known as Vyvanse), and several benzodiazepines such as Lorazepam and Alprazolam. In addition, investigators seized 420 pressed “M30” pills, as well as postal service priority mailboxes and pre-paid labels for orders to include one that was addressed to be shipped to Nebraska. Although the color and markings on the “M30” tablets indicated they contained Oxycodone, they were later confirmed through laboratory testing to contain Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Holdman told investigators that he packaged and shipped the controlled substances and named Nicolas Decosta as the supplier of the drugs and dark net site vendor. Investigators corroborated this information and arrested Decosta. Holdman was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 68 months on April 12, 2023.

This case was investigated by the United State Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jason Smith, 48, of Victorville, California, was today by Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 132 months’ imprisonment following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. After he completes his prison sentence, Smith will also serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On June 3, 2022, Smith was stopped for a traffic violation on Interstate 80 in York County, Nebraska by a Nebraska State Patrolman.  The trooper became suspicious of Smith’s behavior and travel plans. A York County Deputy showed up with his drug detection dog which alerted and indicated to the odor of narcotics. During a probable cause search of the rental car, officers found approximately two pounds of methamphetamine packaged in two separate one-pound bags in the trunk. The trooper estimated the street value of the methamphetamine to be around $8,730. In the center console, officers found a methamphetamine pipe and a pill bottle with Smith’s name on the label, and which contained about four grams of methamphetamine. In the trunk, in addition to the drugs, officers found a suitcase with clothes and documents addressed to Smith.  

The methamphetamine was sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab for testing where a forensic scientist confirmed the presence of methamphetamine in both one-pound packages from the trunk as well and in the pill bottle found in the center console. Purity testing on one of the one-pound packages showed a methamphetamine concentration of 100% and resulted in at least 444.24 grams actual methamphetamine. The total weight of all methamphetamines in the car was approximately 886.5 grams. At the time of his arrest, Smith was serving a term of supervised release as a result of a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine conviction out of Wisconsin from 2002.

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

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Michael Melgaard, 54, of Alda, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Senior United States Senior District Judge John M. Gerrard for two counts of attempted production of child pornography. Melgaard was sentenced to 240 months in prison and will also serve 10 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Melgaard was additionally ordered to pay $6,000 which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of crimes.

This case began in January of 2022, during a separate investigation involving Melgaard. As a result of this investigation, several search warrants were received and executed for Melgaard’s home and electronic devices. Melgaard’s devices were downloaded and forensically analyzed. Approximately 14 images that met the federal definition of child pornography were located. During the investigation, Melgaard agreed to be interviewed multiple times. He admitted that he had been taking nude photographs of several minors aged 4-11. These photographs would happen while the minor victims would change their clothes, showered, or while they were asleep. He indicated that he would keep the images for a short period of time before deleting them.

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 Hall County Sheriff’s Office, the Grand Island Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Zachary Wichmann, 27, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Wichmann to 57 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge and a consecutive 60 months’ imprisonment on the firearm charge, for a total sentence of 117 months.  There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Wichmann will begin a three-year term of supervised release.

On October 28, 2020, law enforcement purchased 300 fentanyl pills from Wichmann utilizing an undercover officer in an Omaha parking lot.  On November 6, 2020, law enforcement received information from the U.S. Postal Inspector that Wichmann was receiving a package from Oregon.  As a result of that information, they obtained a court authorized search warrant for Wichmann’s residence.

On November 10, 2020, law enforcement executed the search warrant on Wichmann's residence.  Officers located 1,029 fentanyl pills, two firearms, and $10,293 in U.S. Currency. Wichmann was buying drugs over the Dark Net and selling them in the Omaha metro area.  The Drug Enforcement Administration administratively forfeited the $10,293.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and United States Postal Inspection Service.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Derek A. Bailey, 40, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for transportation of child pornography. The Honorable Brian C. Buescher sentenced Bailey to 96 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Bailey will serve 7 years of supervised release. Bailey was also ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution.

In May 2019, law enforcement began investigating after receiving a Cybertip from Yahoo stating that a user had uploaded child pornography. An IP address associated with the uploads was associated with Bailey. Investigators searched Bailey’s electronic devices and observed more than 833 images and videos of child pornography on the devices. A witness reported that after the search warrant, Bailey had been looking for a MicroSD card, which the witness located. The MicroSD card was found to contain graphic files depicting Bailey in addition to 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 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 Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that William Eugen Packer, 47, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Packer to 151 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge and a consecutive 60 months’ imprisonment on the firearm charge, for a total sentence of 211 months.  There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Packer will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On April 6, 2021, officers in Norton, Kansas initiated a traffic stop. Packer, a passenger in the vehicle, immediately took off running and dropped a backpack that was found to contain 4.5 pounds of methamphetamine. Co-defendants Amanda Schnoor, who was the driver, and Clint Younger knew Packer was transporting the drugs and identified him as the person who took off running. The methamphetamine was being brought to Nebraska for them to sell and distribute. On October 7, 2021, when Packer was arrested on the federal warrant for the April 6 offense, he was found in possession of three firearms, another 1.6 pounds of methamphetamine, and $16,060 in U.S. currency that was drug proceeds and forfeited to the United States.

Schnoor pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and will be sentenced on June 7, 2023. Clint Younger pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and will be sentenced June 29, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Trident Drug Task Force, which is made up of officers from the Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff, Hastings Police Department, Adams County Sheriff, Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Werner Monterroso-Monterroso, 26, of Guatemala, was sentenced on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for unlawful transfer of a document or authentication feature. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Monterroso-Monterroso to imprisonment for 21 months to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Monterroso-Monterroso will be removed (deported) by immigration authorities after he completes his term of imprisonment.

On April 22, 2022, investigators made a purchase of fraudulent documents (a Social Security card, California Identification Card, and a Texas birth certificate) in exchange for $1,200. Investigators made a second purchase of fraudulent documents on June 8, 2022, and received a Nebraska Identification Card, a Social Security card, and a Texas birth certificate in exchange for $1,200. Such fraudulent documents are frequently sought by job applicants as they are required to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. The Social Security cards were confirmed to have valid numbers and names but are counterfeit.

Following the purchases, investigators obtained a warrant to search Monterroso-Monterroso’s residence in Schuyler, Nebraska. The warrant was executed on August 24, 2022, yielding 87 counterfeit documents (in addition to the 6 obtained through the document purchases), many of which appeared to have been issued by or under the authority of the United States.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles Fraud Unit.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Amy Henner, 45, of Nebraska City, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 23, 2023, by Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 66 months’ imprisonment following her conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. After she completes her prison sentence, Henner will also serve three years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On March 18, 2021, Henner was approached by police investigators in Lincoln.  Investigators found that she had about a half-pound of methamphetamine in her purse. The methamphetamine was sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab where a forensic scientist confirmed the presence of at least 190 grams of pure methamphetamine. Henner admitted to investigators that she had been selling methamphetamine to others.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force which is made up of officers from the Nebraska State Patrol, Lincoln Police Department, and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.