District of Nebraska

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Fernando Lopez-Reyes, 35, of Colton, California, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, methamphetamine, N-Ethylhexedrone, and Alprazolam, and conspiracy to launder money. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Lopez-Reyes to imprisonment for a term of 96 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Lopez-Reyes will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

Lopez-Reyes was a member of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that produced and distributed anabolic steroids and other controlled substances to customers throughout the country using a private Facebook group as an online storefront and the United States Postal Service to ship the drugs to locations throughout the country. In addition to anabolic steroids, the DTO marketed and sold pharmaceutical drugs described as Xanax and Adderall. Legitimately prescribed pharmaceutical Adderall is a Schedule II controlled substance containing amphetamine salts. However, laboratory testing revealed that the pills marketed as “Adderall” by the DTO were counterfeit and contained methamphetamine, also a Schedule II controlled substance. The “Xanax” distributed by the DTO contained N-Ethylhexedrone, a Scheduled I controlled substance. “Xanax” is a brand name for Alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance. Alprazolam was also confirmed by laboratory testing to be present in substances recovered by investigators.

Lopez-Reyes operated a clandestine laboratory from an apartment he maintained in Colton, California, specifically for that purpose of producing finished anabolic steroids. Lopez-Reyes also imported anabolic steroid precursors and other controlled substances from China. Sentencing is pending for Lopez-Reyes’s codefendants.

Customers purchasing controlled substances from the DTO were required to use cryptocurrency and cash to pay. The DTO used peer-to-peer digital payments platforms to accept payments for controlled substances from customers and to transfer funds among and between themselves. In addition to the use of digital payment platforms, the DTO used various other methods designed to protect the memberships’ anonymity and to provide security for the criminal organization from law enforcement and other criminal organizations.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. This case was investigated by the Omaha offices of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jared B. Cain, 41, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced December 9, 2022, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska.  United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Cain to 132 months in prison for one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.  After serving his sentence, Cain will be placed on supervised release for 5 years.  There is no parole in the federal system.

On November 11, 2021, a Nebraska state trooper on Interstate 80 in Hamilton County, Nebraska stopped a black sedan for traffic violations.  Jared Cain was the passenger and had rented the vehicle.  Cain consented to a search of the vehicle, and about 33 pounds of suspected methamphetamine was found in a duffle bag in the trunk.  The suspected methamphetamine was sent to the lab, and the lab determined that there was a total of about 14,713 grams of methamphetamine mixture in the packages.  Some of the packages were tested for purity, and they were found to contain at least 4.7 kilograms of actual methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Fidel Cardenas-Alvarez, 46, of Michoacan, Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine, using a communication facility in the conspiracy, and for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Cardenas-Alvarez received a sentence of 144 months’ imprisonment with a five-year term of supervised release to follow.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Cardenas-Alvarez will be deported by U.S. immigration authorities when he completes his sentence of imprisonment.

Beginning in December 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated an operation, which targeted a known Mexican-based Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) operating in the Omaha area.  This investigation included a court authorized wiretap interception of phone calls and text messages, allowing agents to identify the scope of the conspiracy and its members.  Cardenas-Alvarez was identified as a member of the DTO and was intercepted numerous times over the phone discussing drug transactions with co-conspirators.  The investigation involving Cardenas-Alvarez ended on February 24, 2021, when agents executed a search warrant on Cardenas-Alvarez’s apartment and seized 21.14 pounds of methamphetamine.

Other members of the DTO that have been indicted include Tomas Lorenzo-Cruz, who is scheduled for jury trial on January 30, 2023, before Chief Judge Rossiter. Darald Sandman and Teresa Forbes have pled guilty to the conspiracy and will both be sentenced on March 3, 2023, before Chief Judge Rossiter.

This effort was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Tommy L. Meyer, 43, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 7, 2022, in federal court in Lincoln.  United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Meyer to 224 months in prison for one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine with a prior serious drug felony.  Meyer faced a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence because of a prior conviction for delivery/possession with intent to deliver an exceptionally hazardous drug in Lancaster County District Court.  The court also entered a final order of forfeiture for $18,451 currency.  After serving his sentence, Meyer will be placed on supervised release for 10 years.  There is no parole in the federal system.

On May 19, 2021, the Lincoln Metro Fugitive Task Force was attempting to locate Meyer for a warrant.  An officer saw Meyer’s vehicle pull into an alley side parking of a building and Meyer began running from the area.  Shortly thereafter he was arrested, and officers found $900 in currency on his person.  Officers then conducted an inventory search of his vehicle.  Officers found $512 in currency, a digital scale, and a baggie containing about 12.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine in the vehicle’s console.  In the driver’s side back seat, officers found a backpack with $17,039 in currency, a brick of suspected methamphetamine weighing 17.9 ounces, a bag with 9.4 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, a Ziplock bag with 1.5 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, and another bag containing .5 ounce of suspected methamphetamine.  Officers also found another scale in the back seat.

Behind a subwoofer in the trunk of the vehicle, officers found a concealed compartment that contained 9 more bricks of suspected methamphetamine, which weighed in total 9.4 pounds.

The suspected methamphetamine was sent to the lab for testing.  Testing determined that the methamphetamine was 100% pure.

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

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Frederick Voight, 65, of Richmond, Texas, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for mail fraud.  Voight was sentenced to 66 months in prison and will also serve 3 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.  Voight was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims in the case in the amount of $40,903,052.09.

Between September 2009 and October 4, 2018, Voight conducted business through various business entities, including F.A. Voight and Associates, LP, (FAVA), Voight Financial Services, Inc. and Daystar Funding, LP.  Voight represented to investors that he would search for companies that had an "excellent and innovative product in a growing market" but were short of cash needed to take their product to market. Voight further represented that his business entities pooled investor funds and provided financing to companies in the form of secured loans with equity components in some transactions. Voight knowingly failed to disclose certain material facts to lenders and potential lenders in correspondence and other materials that he knew the lenders and potential lenders would rely on in deciding whether to loan their monies to business entities owned by and/or affiliated with Voight, and/or to renew or "rollover" existing loans instead of being repaid their principal. These omissions, combined with other statements made to the lenders and potential lenders, led some lenders and potential lenders to believe that the full amount of money they lent to Voight's entities would in turn be invested in specifically identified companies, referred to as "program companies."

As Voight knew, most of the money received from the lenders was not in turn invested directly into the program companies. Instead, interest payments and principal repayments made by Voight to investors generally did not come from interest payments made by the program companies but instead was primarily derived from the proceeds of new loans from lenders. Voight failed to disclose to lenders the material fact that he was making interest payments to other lenders with funds acquired from new lenders and/or new loan monies from prior lenders into Voight's "Programs." By failing to provide them with information about the source of their interest and the use of their funds, Voight deprived lenders of materially valuable information needed to decide how to use their assets and monies.

With respect to the count Voight pleaded guilty to, as part of the scheme, Voight knowingly caused items to be sent and placed in the U.S. Mail from victims in Holdrege, Nebraska, to the office of FAVA in Richmond, Texas on February 4, 2013. The items mailed included a check in the amount of $45,000 payable to FAVA, for the "RevH2O program". The items represented the proceeds of a loan made by the victims with the belief that the proceeds of their loan to Voight's company would in turn be used by Voight's company to provide funding to RevH2O. In truth and fact, as Voight well knew, the money provided by the victims did not go to RevH20 but was in fact used primarily to pay interest payments to other lenders without the knowledge or consent of the victims. The victims were never told by Voight how their money was actually used, depriving them of material information regarding the use of their investment.

“Today’s sentence of Frederick Voight shows the resolve and determination of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our law enforcement partners to bring criminals to justice,” said Ruth Mendonça, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Denver Division, which includes oversight of operations in Nebraska. “Mr. Voight’s success with defrauding so many individuals emphasizes how important it is to exercise caution when investing, no matter how much trust you have in the individual or company you are investing with. Fortunately, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our law enforcement partners will continue to be steadfast in identifying and investigating fraudulent investment schemes dependent on the U.S. Mail to defraud investors.”

During the course of Voight’s scheme to defraud, the investors and related business entities lost approximately $40,903,052.09.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Ricky Wynn, 61, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced on Friday, December 2, 2022, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for transporting explosive materials with intent to injure. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Wynn to imprisonment for a term of 24 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Wynn will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On January 30, 2022, the Omaha Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to a residential address in Omaha responding to a report of multiple suspicious packages.  The subsequent investigation determined approximately 13 devices of an incendiary and/or explosive nature were placed around a vehicle and detached garage.  Twelve of the devices were “Molotov cocktail” type devices. The 13th device contained an energetic powder (consistent with smokeless powder) and nails and screws. It appeared that a wick to the device had been lit but failed to detonate.

The people residing at the address told investigators they had previously been granted a protection order against Wynn, with whom they had a prior dispute.

Investigators obtained a warrant and searched Wynn’s apartment, garage, and vehicle located in Council Bluffs on February 2, 2022.  During this search, investigators located evidence that Wynn had assembled the devices there prior to placing them at the Omaha residence on January 30, 2022. 

This case 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Joseph Thompson, 24, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to a total of 100 months in prison following his conviction for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. After he completes his prison sentence, Thompson will serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On April 29, 2021, Lincoln Police investigators searched a Lincoln hotel room and found a backpack containing marijuana, pills, and a firearm magazine speed loader. At various locations in the hotel room, investigators found more marijuana, a scale, more pills, and a 9 mm pistol. The firearm was located under a TV cabinet, was loaded, had an extended magazine attached, and was found to be stolen in 2017 out of McKinney, Texas.

Hotel surveillance video showed Thompson carrying the same backpack into the hotel room. Police interviewed Thompson, who admitted there was marijuana in the hotel room that belonged to him. Investigators seized Thompson’s cell phone from the hotel room and obtained a search warrant. Data from the phone showed evidence of drug dealing and firearms possession.  Phone content spanning March through April 2021 included photos and videos of guns of various makes and calibers. For example, an April 28 photo depicted a gun with extended magazine and light attachment that appeared to be the same gun found under the TV cabinet in the hotel room on April 29. A March 29 video showed Thompson holding a gun with an extended magazine. An April 4 video showed Thompson threatening to kill unknown persons while holding a gun. An April 6 video showed a hand displaying numerous pills with the caption, “Shop Open.” A video from April 23 showed Thompson wearing body armor and displaying a handgun.

Drugs taken during the hotel search were sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab where a forensic scientist confirmed the presence of marijuana and the presence of methamphetamine in some of the pills. Investigators also obtained cell phone data from one of the individuals seen on hotel surveillance video coming and going from the hotel room. Data from the phone showed communication from Thompson consistent with drug distribution spanning February to March 2021.

During an unrelated investigation stemming from a July 8, 2021, shooting in Lincoln, investigators again seized Thompson’s phone, and obtained a search warrant. Data from the phone showed Thompson’s continued firearm possession and drug distribution between April and July 2021.

Thompson is a felon because of a 2017 conviction for Possession of a Firearm on School Grounds.

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

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Adam Bates, 37, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 2, 2022, by United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 120 months’ imprisonment following his conviction for possession of child pornography. After he completes his prison sentence, Bates will also serve ten years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On July 1, 2016, Bates’ state parole officer contacted the Nebraska State Patrol to report that she found Bates in possession of a cellular phone in violation of his parole conditions during a recent parole visit. On July 8, 2016, investigators spoke with Bates who admitted he had cell phones. He consented to a search of the phones and investigators found child pornography saved on one of the phones. Investigators obtained a search warrant to search Bates’s electronic devices. Investigators located numerous images of child pornography on one of Bates’s phones. At the time, Bates was on parole due to a 2011 conviction from Lancaster County for possession of child pornography.

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

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Kenneth Blair, III, 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 292 months’ imprisonment following his convictions for distribution of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. After he completes his prison sentence, Blair will also serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

In November 2021, Investigators with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force received information that Blair was distributing methamphetamine in Lincoln and Omaha.  Investigators, working with a cooperating individual, arranged for a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Blair.  On November 11, 2021, Blair sold the cooperating individual about two pounds of methamphetamine in Omaha. 

A week later, on November 18, investigators executed a search warrant at Blair’s residence in Omaha. Blair was arrested, and investigators recovered five pounds of methamphetamine, $19,100 cash, and a loaded handgun during the search.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Bruce A. Quinn, 66, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today for Interference with Federally Protected Activities, a civil rights violation. United States District Court Magistrate Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Quinn to four months’ imprisonment and one year of supervised release.  Quinn previously pleaded guilty to this charge on September 7, 2022.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 18, 2020, Keith Kirksey, a 63-year-old black man employed by the Oriental Trading Company in La Vista, Nebraska, arrived for his shift and went to an industrial floor scrubber. Kirksey discovered that an 8-to-12-inch piece of orange twine, deliberately twisted and knotted into the shape of a noose, had been left on the seat of the equipment. Kirksey was the only black employee trained to use the scrubber. Kirksey was extremely distraught by the small noose; he was crying and shaking, and he later told investigators that he was scared by the noose, believing it to be a death threat directed at him.

“Federal courts have long recognized the noose as one of the most vile symbols in American history”, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Individuals, like this defendant, who use a noose to convey a threat of violence at a workplace will be held accountable for their actions.” 

After the sentencing, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowal said, “Bruce Quinn used an ugly historical symbol to intimidate a co-worker.  This case highlights the FBI’s mission to aggressively investigate civil rights crimes and bring to justice those who victimize someone because of the color of their skin.”

“We are grateful for Sgt. Matt Barrall’s efforts to identify the suspect and his collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office which brought a successful conclusion to the case,” said Sarpy County Sheriff Jeff Davis.

Acting U.S. Attorney Russell added, “I appreciate the excellent work of the investigators from the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This is a serious matter and their efforts, along with my staff and the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ, brought justice for the victim of this criminal act.” 

This case was investigated by the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lecia Wright and Trial Attorney Cameron Bell of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Westleigh Miesner, 29, of Kansas, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.  United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Miesner to 66 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 May 14, 2019, a confidential informant (CI) arranged to purchase one ounce of methamphetamine from co-defendant, Shanda Daniels.  The CI traveled to the house Daniels was living in at this time in Trenton, Nebraska.  The CI entered the house and contacted Daniels and an unknown male.  This unknown male was later identified by the CI as Westleigh Miesner from a photo lineup.  Miesner weighed out the methamphetamine.  The lab results showed 13 grams of actual methamphetamine.

Shanda Daniels has pled guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on February 2, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Dallas Faamausili, 36, of Renton, Washington, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska.  United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Faamausili to 70 months in prison for one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.  After serving his sentence, Faamausili will be placed on supervised release for 2 years.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

On May 26, 2021, a Seward County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle driven by Faamausili for a traffic violation on Interstate 80.  Faamausili gave consent to search his vehicle for illegal narcotics.  The deputy noticed that the stow-n-go compartment in the vehicle was glued shut.  He eventually opened the compartment and found several clear plastic packages containing suspected methamphetamine.  In total, there were about 100 one-pound sized bricks seized from the vehicle.  Two of the pound size bricks were sent to the lab for testing.  The lab determined that one brick contained 443.97 grams of methamphetamine and the other brick contained 446.57 grams of methamphetamine.  Purity was conducted, and the lab determined that the two bricks contained at least 840 grams of actual methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Seward County Interdiction Task Force, and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Abraham Jose Alvarenga, 28, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Alvarenga to 94 months’ imprisonment. After completing his term of imprisonment, Alvarenga will be required to serve a 5-year term of supervised release as there is no parole in the federal system.

On September 14, 2020, a DEA agent working in an undercover capacity coordinated a purchase of approximately 396 grams of methamphetamine at a South Omaha gas station. At the meet location, the undercover agent was approached by Alvarenga and a co-defendant, German Reyes Jr. Alvarenga got into the undercover agent’s car and sold the agent the methamphetamine while Reyes walked into the gas station.

On November 9, 2020, another co-defendant, Andres Cruz, sold the undercover agent an additional 295 grams of methamphetamine and was arrested on November 16, 2020, when he was found in possession of another 896 grams of methamphetamine. The investigation revealed that both Cruz and Alvarenga were distributing the methamphetamine on behalf of Reyes.

Cruz was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment on January 14, 2022. Reyes was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment on September 22, 2022.

This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, a federal jury in Lincoln, Nebraska, convicted Jose O. Maes, 38, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture after a three-day trial presided over by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard. Prior to the beginning of the trial, Maes agreed that he had a prior conviction for a violent felony, first degree murder, from the state of Colorado.  As a result, he faces a potential sentence of 15 years to life imprisonment.  Sentencing is scheduled for March 22, 2023.

Testimony and evidence presented during the trial showed between June of 2020 and February 12, 2021, Maes became involved in a methamphetamine distribution organization which transported methamphetamine from the Colorado Springs area to the Lincoln and Omaha/Council Bluffs, Iowa areas.  Maes provided methamphetamine to Jeffry Hogan who drove it to Lincoln and sold it to Kelly Jablonski. Jablonski then sold the methamphetamine to persons in Lincoln, Omaha, and Council Bluffs.  She provided Hogan with cash from those sales and Hogan would then provide cash to Maes.  Multiple pounds of methamphetamine were distributed in this manner between the latter part of 2020 or early 2021 and February 12, 2022.

On February 11, 2022, investigators with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force followed Jablonski to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she was seen on Horseshoe Casino video meeting and gambling with Hogan.  Jablonski and Hogan later met Maes at the casino and all three went into the casino parking garage.  Hogan took a backpack containing methamphetamine out of Maes’s car, got into Jablonski’s Jeep, and both vehicles left the parking garage.  Investigators conducting surveillance saw the two vehicles meet again at a gas station a short distance away where witnesses testified Hogan provided cash to Maes. 

Later that evening, investigators saw Jablonski and Hogan leave an Omaha residence in separate vehicles.  Hogan followed Jablonski onto westbound Interstate 80 and both vehicles headed toward Lincoln.  Both vehicles were stopped by the Nebraska State Patrol for traffic violations and both vehicles were searched.  Approximately 3 ½ pounds of methamphetamine were found in Jablonski’s Jeep.  Hogan’s van had approximately ½ pound of methamphetamine, a number of fentanyl pills, two handguns and $5,000 in cash.  Both Jablonski and Hogan have since pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to this matter.  Jablonski was sentenced on November 3, 2022, to 97 months in prison. Hogan is awaiting sentencing.

As a result of these stops and searches, information was relayed to Iowa investigators indicating Maes was likely in possession of methamphetamine, cash and a firearm and was believed to have returned to the casinos in Council Bluffs.  Around 2:30 a.m. on February 12, 2022, an investigator from the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and a Council Bluffs Police Officer located Maes’s car in the Harrah’s Casino parking garage in Council Bluffs. The investigator attempted to contact Maes while the Council Bluffs officer attempted to block Maes from leaving the garage.  However, Maes drove around the Council Bluffs officer’s cruiser and out of the parking garage.  This resulted in a pursuit which ended approximately 30 miles away, on Iowa Highway 59 in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, in a rural area between Oakland and Carson.  That pursuit involved the Council Bluffs Police, Iowa Highway Patrol and Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department.  Pottawattamie County deputies used “stop sticks” which punctured the tires of Maes’s car and eventually resulted in the car stopping because it was no longer drivable.  Maes was arrested for fleeing from officers and an outstanding Colorado warrant for a parole violation related to his prior Colorado murder conviction.

Maes’s car was searched.  Investigators found approximately ¼ ounce of methamphetamine, a few fentanyl pills, a loaded handgun with an extended magazine and over $34,153 in cash.  That cash has since been forfeited to the United States of America by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Division of Intelligence, the Council Bluffs Police Department, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department, the Iowa State Patrol, the Omaha Police Department, and FBI, with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Crime Lab.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Chase Bass, 28, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 23, 2022, by United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 170 months’ imprisonment following his convictions for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. After he completes his prison sentence, Bass will also serve four years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

While investigating a shooting that happened in Lincoln on July 8, 2021, Lincoln Police Department investigators located a cell phone conversation in which Bass talked about providing a gun to a convicted felon. That led to a firearms and narcotics investigation involving Bass and his girlfriend at the time, Kylie Thompson.

Investigators obtained firearms purchase records showing that Thompson bought 12 handguns between March 18 and July 31, 2021, at various locations in Lancaster County, Nebraska. After purchasing these firearms, Thompson transferred some of these firearms to Bass who was a felon, and thus not permitted to possess firearms. Bass was also serving a term of post-release supervision, following prison sentence, as a result of a Lancaster County conviction for possession of a short shotgun.

On July 16, 2021, Bass was arrested in Cass County on an outstanding warrant for violating his post-release supervision. Thompson was also present but she was not arrested at that time. Bass was in possession of a distribution amount of methamphetamine, baggies containing methamphetamine residue, at least two functioning firearms, $1,347 cash, ammunition, drug ledgers, phones, gun magazines, pipes, and a scale. Investigators found six empty gun boxes in Thompson’s car. Bass was in the passenger seat of this car when arrested. The gun boxes in the car matched up with six of the firearm purchases Thompson had made in Lincoln between March 18 – July 31, 2021. Bass had a notebook in his possession containing his hand-written notes describing the firearms that were previously in the boxes found in the car. Bass was carrying a backpack containing ammunition and a pistol Thompson had purchased the day before at a Lincoln pawn shop. Bass also had keys to a safe located in Thompson’s car. Inside the safe investigators found a handgun with 12 rounds in the magazine. The box for this gun was found in the trunk and was the same handgun Thompson had purchased at a gun store in Lancaster County on July 1, 2021.

During the course of this investigation, investigators recovered three of the 12 firearms purchased by Thompson. Two of the three recovered were located in Bass’s belongings, while the third was recovered in an alleyway in downtown Lincoln on July 14, 2021.

Following his arrest, Bass bonded out of jail. Bass was again arrested in Lincoln on September 28, 2021, after being federally indicted in this case. At that time Bass possessed at least 17 grams of actual methamphetamine, a handgun, ammunition, baggies, a drug ledger, and scales.

Thompson was charged in federal court in connection with this investigation. She pled guilty on August 2, 2022, to transferring a firearm to a felon, and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 24, 2023.

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

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced the Ramzi Yassine, 44, of Papillion, Nebraska, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for receipt of child pornography. Yassine was sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release, Yassine will begin a five-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

On May 1, 2017, the Nebraska State Patrol received a cyber-tip from an internet website known as Chatstep.  Chatstep reported that one of its users had an account that uploaded an image identified as child pornography.  Chatstep captured the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the identified user that had uploaded the image of child pornography.  Law enforcement obtained information related to the IP addresses, which ultimately identified Yassine’s residence as the subscriber.  On October 4, 2018, law enforcement executed a search of Yassine’s residence and seized computers.  Forensic analysis of the computers found images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  Some of the minors were under the age of 12. 

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.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Esequiel Guerrero, 36, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln.  United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Guerrero to 180 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams of methamphetamine mixture, a mixture or substance containing cocaine and a mixture or substance containing marijuana.  After serving his sentence, Guerrero will be placed on supervised release for five years.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

Information provided to law enforcement indicated that Guerrero was involved in the distribution of at least five kilograms, (11 pounds), of methamphetamine mixture in the Lincoln area between August of 2020 and February of 2021.  Guerrero served as a Spanish-language translator during negotiations for the sale of methamphetamine from sources in Texas and Mexico to distributors in the Lincoln area.  Law enforcement further determined that at least two ounces of methamphetamine seized from a vehicle during a traffic stop in February of 2021 was intended to be provided to Guerrero and one of his partners.

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

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Mario Quiroga, 22, of Carter Lake, Iowa, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for one count of Interference with Interstate Commerce by way of Robbery.  Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Quiroga to 41 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay $466.00 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system.  After completing his term of imprisonment, Quiroga will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. 

On July 21, 2021, Quiroga robbed three businesses in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha in a span of about 90 minutes.  Following the robbery spree, Quiroga engaged officers with the Omaha Police Department in a high-speed pursuit, driving over 90 miles per hour attempting to flee the scene. 

Quiroga first robbed a Walgreens in Council Bluffs brandishing an airsoft gun at approximately 3:28 a.m. on July 21, 2021.  At 4:21 a.m. the same morning, Quiroga robbed a Kwik Shop on Q Street in Omaha.  Sixteen minutes after that robbery, Quiroga robbed a QuikTrip on L Street in Omaha.  Officers identified Quiroga’s vehicle as a suspect vehicle in the area of this robbery, and that is when Quiroga sped up and fled the area.  Officers were able to identify Quiroga and take him into custody at his residence in Carter Lake on August 6, 2021.

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

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Ricardo Jiminez-Noveno, 29, of San Francisco, California, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 156 months’ imprisonment following his conviction for possession of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, as well as cocaine and marijuana, with the intent to distribute. After he completes his prison sentence, Jiminez-Noveno will also serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

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

Jiminez-Noveno pleaded guilty on August 30, 2022. Rocha pleaded guilty on July 6, 2022. On October 7, 2022, Rocha was sentenced to a 135-month term of imprisonment, and five years of supervised release. Ek-Poot is set for a trial beginning on January 23, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Oliver J. Glass, 47, of Fremont, Nebraska, pleaded guilty to a Criminal Information charging him with Conspiracy to Commit Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law. Glass faces a maximum possible punishment of 1 year imprisonment, $100,000 fine, or both. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation and set sentencing for February 17, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.

As admitted to in the plea agreement:

Oliver J. Glass was appointed as the Dodge County Attorney in 2011 and was subsequently elected in 2014 and in 2018.  In 2020, Glass’s wife filed for divorce. On March 6, 2020, Glass learned that his wife had been dating an individual identified in the Information as Victim 1.

Between March 6, 2020, through on or about December 22, 2020, Glass conspired with other individuals who are unnamed in the Information to deprive Victim 1 of his rights protected by the Constitution, specifically, his right against unreasonable search and seizure protected by the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution by conspiring to unlawfully stop or arrest Victim 1. Glass and others utilized their restricted access to the Nebraska Criminal Justice Information System (NCJIS) to obtain information about Victim 1. A supervisor in the Fremont Police Department advised other officers that Victim 1 was dating Glass’s wife and to be on the lookout for Victim 1 and provided other officers with Victim 1’s information, vehicle description, and license plate number. An officer within the Dodge County law enforcement community, while acting as a private investigator, used his law enforcement credentials to obtain access about Victim 1’s criminal history that was not publicly available. Members of law enforcement in Dodge County would drive by Victim 1’s apartment looking for Victim 1 without a legal justification or criminal predicate.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Austin Kober, 24, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 228 months’ imprisonment following his conviction for distribution of 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The sentence was enhanced because Kober was deemed to be a career offender. After he completes his prison sentence, Kober will also serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On two occasions in March 2021, Kober sold methamphetamine to an informant in Grand Island. Methamphetamine from one of the sales was sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab where an analyst confirmed the presence of at least 106 grams of pure methamphetamine. On May 26, 2021, investigators saw short-term traffic to and from Kober’s residence, then saw him leave in a Chevy Impala. Police stopped the car due to traffic violations. Police found $699 cash in Kober’s pocket and he admitted marijuana had been in the car in the past. Police deployed a drug-detection dog around Kober’s car. The dog alerted and indicated to the odor of narcotics. During a search of Kober’s car, investigators found $1,500 in cash in the center console and a half-pound of methamphetamine in the back seat. The Crime Lab confirmed the presence of at least 240 grams pure methamphetamine.

Investigators served a search warrant at Kober’s residence where they found a drug ledger, a vacuum sealer machine, vacuum sealer bags, marijuana, and a box of baggies. Investigators interviewed Kober who admitted to dealing methamphetamine. Two witnesses told investigators they had received methamphetamine from Kober on multiple occasions between 2020-2021.

This case was investigated by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office and the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets 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 Steven Russell announced that Haley Rose Marie Coffman, 25, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 16, 2022, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for her participation in a methamphetamine drug conspiracy. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Coffman to 170 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, she will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On October 6, 2021, deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Metro Fugitive Task Force were attempting to locate Coffman, who had an outstanding felony warrant for violating her bond conditions on a charge of possessing methamphetamine in Douglas County court. 

Responding to a tip, law enforcement located Coffman at an Omaha area motel. Law enforcement set up surveillance and observed Coffman and two others leaving the hotel and getting into a vehicle, which law enforcement then approached.   

The driver of the vehicle then attempted to escape, striking a law enforcement vehicle occupied by a deputy, another vehicle, and the side of the motel before fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed.  The driver then lost control of the vehicle, crashing into a construction site.  All parties then fled on foot but were apprehended a short time later.   

The vehicle was impounded and inventoried. More than 300 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and hypodermic needles were found in a bag on the floorboard.

Co-defendant Dustin C. Vogel is scheduled for trial on February 7, 2023.  Co-defendant Jonathan Miller was sentenced on August 24, 2022, to 205 months for his role in the methamphetamine conspiracy and assaulting an officer with a dangerous or deadly weapon.  When released, he will serve a three-year term of supervised release. 

This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Metro Fugitive Task Force.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jacob R. Price, 38, Bellevue, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 168 months’ imprisonment for receipt of child pornography. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Price will begin a five-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

On November 9, 2020, Officers with the Bellevue Police Department were dispatched to a residence in Bellevue.  Upon arrival offices were informed that the reporting party found a video of a naked minor on a cellphone previously used by Price.  Officers forensically analyzed the contents of the cellphone and located a video showing a minor getting undressed.  The video showed Price covertly placing the cellphone in the minor’s bedroom for purposes of videoing the minor while she was naked.  The cellphone also contained additional thumbnail images of unknown minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct that Price downloaded from the internet. 

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 Bellevue Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jacobe Hollingsworth, 25, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that crime.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Hollingsworth to 74 months of imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release. 

On January 13, 2022, police and probation officers went to Hollingsworth’s Omaha residence and located approximately 50 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, a digital drug scale, approximately 141 grams of marijuana, two handguns, and a drum magazine designed to hold approximately 50 rounds of ammunition.  Hollingsworth attempted to flee, but officers stopped him.  Officers also located approximately $6,671 in United States currency which Hollingsworth agreed to forfeit.   

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Omaha Police Department and is part of the Safe Streets Task Force.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Robert Williams, 52, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 144 months’ imprisonment following his conviction for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. After he completes his prison sentence, Williams will also serve eight years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On July 9, 2020, Investigators utilized a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine from Williams.  The buy fell through; however, investigators obtained a search warrant for Williams’s apartment. Inside investigators located approximately 269 grams of methamphetamine, packaged in 27 different baggies.  The drugs were sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab where an analyst confirmed that one of the bags was confirmed to be 66 grams of pure methamphetamine.  Officers also located marijuana and a large number of pills as well as other items used to ingest and distribute narcotics.

This case was investigated by the Hastings Police Department and the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets 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 Steven Russell announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 14 unsealed Indictments charging 16 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.

*          Jimmy L. Aaron, age 48, of Omaha, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about August 23, 2022.  The penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, not less than ten years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Jacqueline R. Brandt, age 43, of Minden, Iowa, is charged in a three-count Indictment.  Counts I-III charge Brandt with bank fraud beginning on or about January 6, 2022 and continuing to on or about July 5, 2022.  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. 

There is also an allegation to forfeit $116,240 in United States currency and property seized on or about July 5, 2022.

*          Aaron Jason Burkholder, age 46, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with escape from custody on or about June 28, 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. 

*          Joshua Thomas Alan Casiano, age 35, is charged with possession of stolen firearms beginning on or about April 13, 2021 and continuing through May 4, 2021.  The penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Alonzo Chich-Perez, age 20, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 12, 2022.  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.

*          Jonathan Cortez Moreno, age 37, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after an aggravated felony conviction on or about October 14, 2022.  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.

*          Miguel Alcangel Fonseca Maradiaga a/k/a Miguel M. Fonseca, age 35, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after having been convicted of a felony on or about September 16, 2022.  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. 

*          Erika Lopez-Garcia, age 27, and Gabriel Rubio-Quevedo, age 25, are charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Lopez-Garcia and Rubio-Quevedo with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine beginning on or about April 1, 2022 and continuing to on or about August 31, 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 a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Lopez-Garcia with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about August 31, 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 a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Eleuterio Meza-Navarro, age 35, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after an aggravated felony conviction on or about November 7, 2022.  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.

*          Monica Morales, age 31, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Morales with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about September 14, 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 Morales with possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime on or about September 14, 2022.  The penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ imprisonment 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. 

*          Jose Rico, age 25, of Lamont, California, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl on or about July 20, 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 a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Juan Vargas Lopez, age 33, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after deportation on or about October 26, 2022.  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.

*          Oscar A. Villa, age 36, and Johana Madrid, age 28, are charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Villa and Madrid with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) beginning on or about unknown date and continuing to on or about August 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 Villa and Madrid with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about August 17, 2022.  The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to a 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. 

*          Clifford Wright, III, age 33, is charged with felon in possession of a firearm beginning on or about November 2, 2022.  The penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Sidney Marker, 28, of Seward, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for a conspiracy to sex traffic minors. Chief Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Marker to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After her release from prison, Marker will serve 5 years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Last week, on November 8, 2022, Chief Judge Rossiter sentenced Co-Defendant Carney Turner, 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, to life imprisonment on one count of conspiracy to sex traffic minors, three counts of sex trafficking of a minor, and two counts of enticement of a minor. Chief Judge Rossiter also sentenced Co-Defendant Julisha Biggs, 20, of Omaha, to 87 months’ imprisonment for her role in the conspiracy.

Law enforcement began investigating in September 2020 after discovering electronic messages between a minor female and Turner during a separate sex trafficking investigation. The minor female was interviewed and reported that she had been sex trafficked by Turner for approximately three months and that Turner had kept money from the sex sales. In October 2020, a second minor female reported that she had been sexually assaulted by a man in a hotel room after Turner brought her to the hotel and paid her to meet with the man. In November 2020, a third minor female was reported missing from her foster home and law enforcement observed that she was being posted in online sex advertisements by a phone number associated with Turner.

Evidence uncovered by law enforcement showed that Marker met Turner while Turner was serving a state sentence and Marker was employed in the correctional facility as a caseworker. Marker then went on to work as a foster care specialist and a family support specialist. After Turner’s release from prison, Marker, Turner and Biggs resided together in an apartment in Ralston, Nebraska. Turner recruited, advertised, and arranged commercial sex sales for minors between approximately January 2020 and February 2021. The sex sales took place at hotels in and around Omaha, as well as at the apartment, which had been leased by Marker. At least one of the minors also stayed at the apartment for a period of time. Marker provided vehicles to transport the minors to hotels for commercial sex acts and assisted with renting hotel rooms. The minor who had been reported missing in November 2020 had been recruited by Biggs to come work for Turner.  

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, the Omaha Police Department, and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Ismael R. Cuevas, 32, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for receipt of child pornography. Cuevas was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months in prison and 7 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.  Cuevas was additionally ordered to pay $3,000 which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of cases.

On October 3, 2020, a Nebraska State Patrol investigator used peer-to-peer software to connect to an IP address (later identified to be Cuevas’s residence) and downloaded four files containing child pornography.  On January 7, 2021, a federal search warrant was executed at Cuevas’s residence.  During the search, Cuevas’s cellphone was seized.  The agents unlocked his phone using the biometric access permission within the search warrant.  Immediately upon looking at the phone, the investigators saw an application on the phone and witnessed that it was in the middle of downloading multiple child pornographic files.

Several devices were seized during the execution of the search warrant.  A laptop computer used by Cuevas, a USB drive belonging to Cuevas, and his cellphone.  A forensic download and examination were completed for each of those devices.  The examination of his cellphone revealed more than 100 video files of child pornography and 17,430 images of child pornography, the laptop revealed 24 images of child pornography, and the USB drive revealed more than 50 files 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 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.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Carney Turner, 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, and Julisha Biggs, 20, of Omaha, Nebraska, were sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for a conspiracy to sex traffic minors. Chief Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Turner to life imprisonment on one count of conspiracy to sex traffic minors, three counts of sex trafficking of a minor, and two counts of enticement of a minor.

Chief Judge Rossiter sentenced Biggs to 87 months’ imprisonment for her role in the sex trafficking conspiracy. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After her release from prison, Biggs will serve 5 years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Co-Defendant Sidney Marker is scheduled to be sentenced for her role in the conspiracy on November 14, 2022, at 10:00 AM.

Law enforcement began investigating in September 2020 after discovering electronic messages between a minor female and Turner during a separate sex trafficking investigation. The minor female was interviewed and reported that she had been sex trafficked by Turner for approximately three months and that Turner had kept money from the sex sales. In October 2020, a second minor female reported that she had been sexually assaulted by a man in a hotel room after Turner brought her to the hotel and paid her to meet with the man. In November 2020, a third minor female was reported missing from her foster home and law enforcement observed that she was being posted in online sex advertisements by a phone number associated with Turner.

Evidence uncovered by law enforcement showed that Turner, Marker, and Biggs resided together in an apartment in Ralston, Nebraska. Turner recruited, advertised, and arranged commercial sex sales for minors between approximately January 2020 and February 2021. The sex sales took place at hotels in and around Omaha, as well as at the apartment, which had been leased by Marker. At least one of the minors also stayed at the apartment for a period of time. Marker provided vehicles to transport the minors to hotels for commercial sex acts and assisted with renting hotel rooms. The minor who had been reported missing in November 2020 had been recruited by Biggs to come work for Turner.  

“Criminals, like these sentenced today, are more concerned with their own greed than the horrific circumstances they seek to expose minors to,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Kansas City Katherine Greer. “This sentencing should send a strong message that HSI and our law enforcement partners are committed to seeking, dismantling and bringing to justice those who seek to perpetrate sex trafficking and child exploitation crimes against minors.”

A spokesperson for the Omaha Police Department stated that they are pleased to see such strong sentences against sex trafficking. “It is important to send the message that sex trafficking will not be tolerated and the criminals who participate in it will be severely punished. The Omaha Police Department will continue to work with their federal partners to rescue the survivors of trafficking and will tirelessly pursue their traffickers.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Russell added, “I appreciate the commitment and effort of Homeland Security Investigations, the Omaha Police Department and my staff in working together on these difficult and important cases while bringing justice to those who prey and traffic upon vulnerable children.”

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, the Omaha Police Department, and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced today that his office would be participating in the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election.  The United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Acting United States Attorney Russell said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.  The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process. The citizen’s right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitle to this privilege can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.”

In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the USAO will be available while the polls are open (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Central Time Zone and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Mountain Time Zone), and can be reached at (402) 661-3700.  In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (402) 493-8688. Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.

Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen reminds voters that, should the need arise, the state’s Election Integrity Unit is on standby for Election Day concerns or complaints.  People may call their County Election Official or Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office Election Division at (402) 471-2555 or (888) 727-0007 (toll free) to report problems.  If a voter is unsure about the location of their polling site, they should call their county election office or go online to https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov.

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud.  The Department will address these violations wherever they occur.  The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).  

Acting United States Attorney Russell said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.  It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Scott A. Baze, 51, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today to 188 months’ imprisonment for possession of child pornography by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Baze will begin a lifetime term of supervised release. The terms of Baze’s supervised release prohibit him from having any contact with children under the age of 18, unless it is approved by the United States Probation Office.  He was ordered to pay $66,000 in restitution.

An investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force determined that between January 14, 2022, and February 1, 2022, Baze, using his cellular telephone, received through the internet images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  The investigation was triggered in May of 2021 when Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies requested that Baze, a registered sex offender, allow them to search his cellphone.  That search revealed Baze had previously possessed images of child pornography.  During a subsequent search warrant of Baze’s Omaha residence, investigators found evidence of more than 1,500 images and 3 videos of child pornography on a cellphone belonging to Baze.     

Baze was previously convicted on July 17, 2001, of Sexual Assault of a Child, in Douglas County District Court, Omaha, Nebraska, and received a 20-month to 5-year prison sentence.  Baze was also previously convicted on June 3, 2010, of Possession of Child Pornography, in Douglas County District Court, Omaha, Nebraska, and received a 20- to 60-month prison sentence.

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 Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Mark R. Fuller, 53, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln.  United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Fuller to 120 months in prison for distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) after having a prior serious drug felony conviction.  After serving his sentence, Fuller will be placed on supervised release for 8 years.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

On January 5, 2021, at the direction of law enforcement, a confidential informant (CI) contacted Fuller to purchase methamphetamine.  The CI and Fuller arranged for the CI to purchase one ounce of methamphetamine from Fuller.  The purchased methamphetamine was sent to the lab for testing.  The lab determined there was 26.75 grams of methamphetamine, of which at least 25 grams was actual methamphetamine. 

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

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Chad M. McCullough, 34, of Franklin, Georgia, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for violating of the Lacey Act.  United States District Judge John Gerrard sentenced McCullough to 2 years’ probation for unlawful transportation of wildlife in interstate commerce.  McCullough was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $5,000 and restitution in the amount of $4,000. 

A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division determined that in October of 2020, McCullough traveled to Noble Outdoors, a commercial big game guiding and outfitting business located in North Platte, Nebraska, to conduct an archery mule deer hunt.  During the hunt, McCullough unlawfully shot a mule deer in Lincoln County, Nebraska, and subsequently transported trophy parts of the deer out of the state for taxidermy services in Georgia.

The investigation determined that in the fall of 2020, McCullough traveled to Noble Outdoors with two other hunting partners to hunt mule deer during the archery season.  During the hunt, McCullough unlawfully shot a mule deer buck while seated in the passenger compartment of a Noble Outdoors vehicle parked upon the traveled portion of a public roadway.  McCullough, after being provided a Ruger 6.5 Creedmoor caliber rifle and directed by the Noble Outdoors owner, killed the mule deer with the rifle, knowing the firearm deer season was closed at the time and that only archery equipment was authorized.  Under Nebraska state law, shooting from the road, taking deer with a firearm during archery season, and hunting upon property without landowner permission are prohibited.

Under the terms of the plea agreement and as part of his conditions of probation, McCullough will surrender and abandon the taxidermy mounts and other parts originating from a total of two mule deer taken unlawfully during the 2020 hunt at Noble Outdoors.

Today’s convictions mark the third federal sentencing involving the ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by Noble Outdoors and its owner, associates, and clients.  Four additional defendants have pleaded guilty in Nebraska state court.  In total, seven defendants have been sentenced and ordered to pay a total of $37,500 in fines and restitution for violations related to the interstate transport of unlawfully taken wildlife, shooting deer from the road, taking deer without a valid permit, taking deer with a firearm during archery season, dumping carcasses in waters of the state, hunting without permission, and improperly checking or registering big game.

The operation was a joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Ashley O’Connell, 33, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln.  United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced O’Connell to 150 months for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture.  Following her term of imprisonment, O’Connell must serve a five-year term of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

Law enforcement investigation revealed that from about November 1, 2017, and continuing to about November 27, 2019, O’Connell conspired with at least eight other individuals to distribute methamphetamine in the Lincoln area.  During the course of the conspiracy, O’Connell obtained methamphetamine in quantities ranging from a quarter ounce to a half pound from several individuals and sold methamphetamine to several others in quantities ranging from one-sixteenth ounce to a quarter pound.  On November 27, 2019, law enforcement stopped a stolen vehicle driven by O’Connell in Lincoln.  O’Connell was the sole occupant of the vehicle.  The vehicle was subsequently searched.  Law enforcement found in the vehicle two baggies of methamphetamine weighing over a gram, a firearm, and a digital scale with methamphetamine residue.    

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

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Capreeca Jackman, 48, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced October 28, 2022, in federal court in Omaha for interference with commerce by robbery. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Jackman to imprisonment for a term of 15 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, she will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.

Between August 19, 2020, and September 3, 2020, Jerome Davis committed a series of five robberies at businesses throughout Omaha. During the robberies, Davis, whose face was concealed, would either claim to have a gun or weapon or brandish a knife and demand money from the employees and owners of the businesses. The businesses included the Everest Gas Mart (Phillips 66), on Leavenworth Street, which Davis robbed twice, a Speedee Mart on South 84 Street, the Nu Trend Dry Cleaners located on Center Street, and a Subway sandwich shop located on North Saddle Creek Road. At several of the locations Davis was observed leaving the area in a white Buick sedan bearing in-transit tags.

On September 3, 2020, Omaha Police officers were dispatched to a robbery that occurred at the Subway restaurant. The suspect, later determined to be Davis, was reported to be armed with a knife. Davis robbed the Subway and fled from the business. OPD officers observed the white Buick sedan in the area following the robbery and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle refused, leading them on a vehicle pursuit. OPD officers observed Davis in the passenger seat and a female suspect, later determined to be Jackman, was driving.  During the pursuit Davis threw paper and coin currency and a green cash register drawer from the passenger window of the Buick.  The pursuit continued for several minutes before the Buick slowed, allowing Davis to get out and flee on foot in the area North 20th and Charles Streets. Officers arrested him. Officers continued to pursue codefendant Jackman in the white Buick sedan until she stopped near North 42nd and Izard Streets where she also was arrested.

During a police interview of Jackman, she confirmed she drove the defendant to the areas of two of the targeted businesses. Jackman provided information that she and the defendant were staying at the Motel 6 on South 84th Street. Jackman gave consent to search their shared room and to search her white Buick sedan after confirming it belonged to her. Additional evidence was in the Buick including the knife brandished by Davis and the face coverings he wore during the robberies.

Davis was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 65 months on April 8, 2022, and he will serve a 3-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison.

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

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Andrew Buffkins, 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and possessing a firearm in furtherance of the crime.  Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Buffkins to 120 months of imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a four-year term of supervised release.  Buffkins was also ordered to pay a $2,821 fine.

Between January 13, 2020, and July 24, 2020, law enforcement executed three controlled buys of marijuana and one controlled buy of Alprazolam from Buffkins.  On July 29, 2020, officers searched Buffkins’s Omaha residence and located approximately 0.140 kilograms of marijuana, a digital scale, a .38 caliber revolver, and fifty (50) rounds of ammunition. Officers located $821 in the residence and another $2,000 in a truck parked outside.  DNA testing showed that Buffkins’s DNA was on the revolver.     

Buffkins is a convicted felon, including multiple convictions for drug trafficking crimes.  In 2009, he was convicted federally of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and sentenced to 60 months in prison.  In 2015, he was convicted in Douglas County, Nebraska of attempted manufacturing, distribution, delivery, or possession with intent to distribute cocaine and sentenced to prison.  

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Omaha Police Department and is part of the Safe Streets Task Force.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Colleen Wiand, 44, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Wiand to imprisonment for 97 months. There is no parole in the federal system.  After her release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

From August to November 2021, Wiand assisted others with the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Omaha and Council Bluffs areas. In one instance, Wiand assisted co-defendant Mayra Rendon in the sale of 3,000 fentanyl pills, weighing a total of 339.6 grams, to an undercover agent posing as a drug buyer.

Wiand also accepted packages containing methamphetamine and fentanyl analogue through the mail. She also conducted money pick-ups and transfers on behalf of the conspiracy and on November 4, 2021, was arrested after being given approximately 14.3 pounds of fentanyl analogue pills from a co-conspirator.

The overall investigation saw the recovery and confiscation of more than 20 pounds of fentanyl and 25 pounds of methamphetamine.

Co-defendant Rendon was sentenced to 210 months’ imprisonment.

Co-defendants Samantha Cawyer, Emidio Becerra, Oscar Quiroz Ayon, Darbelio Lorenzo-Genchi, Iris Gallardo-Salado, Giovana Cisneros, Lorenzo Gonzalez-Perez remain pending.

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

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Angel Rivas, 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distribution of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Rivas to 27 months’ imprisonment on the drug charges and a consecutive 60 months’ imprisonment on the firearm charge, for a total sentence of 87 months.  There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release.

On April 11, 2020 during a controlled buy in Omaha, a confidential source, equipped with audio and visual recording devices, purchased a defaced TC-22 handgun from Rivas.  On May 14, 2020, the confidential source bought a defaced Springfield XD ACP.45 handgun and methamphetamine from Rivas. 

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Blake Ruel, 35, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Ruel to a total of 322 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Ruel will serve an eight-year term of supervised release.

On May 11, 2021, an officer with the Omaha Police Department stopped Ruel’s vehicle in Omaha after officers conducting surveillance in Lincoln and Omaha observed Ruel engage in what they believed to be drug distribution activity. A police K9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in Ruel’s vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and located what was later determined to be more than 104 grams of methamphetamine as well as a handgun. Ruel had prior felony convictions for terroristic threats and possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department and Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Luis Alberto Castro-Santos, 35, of Pomona, California, and Tomas De La Cruz-Perez, 37, of Fremont, Nebraska, were sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for Conspiracy to Produce and Transfer Fraudulent Documents. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Castro-Santos and De La Cruz to imprisonment for terms of 24 months and 15 months, respectively. Prior to sentencing, De La Cruz-Perez had forfeited $9,170.00 as proceeds of the fraudulent document scheme. There is no parole in the federal system. After their release from prison, each will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Both will be deported by U.S. immigration authorities after completing their respective sentences to imprisonment.

In the spring of 2020, law enforcement officers investigating an identity theft matter involving the use of a deceased person’s Social Security number learned that fraudulent identity documents could be obtained from De La Cruz-Perez.

Over the course of the year, investigators made several purchases of fraudulent documents (Social Security cards, state Driver’s Licenses, and Lawful Permanent Resident cards (I-551s) from De La Cruz-Perez, who was receiving dozens of packages originating in California through the U.S. Mail. Investigators determined that Castro-Santos was the source of the fraudulent documents mailed to De La Cruz-Perez for sale to customers in Nebraska. Investigators determined that Estuardo Ruiz-Orozco, of Wakefield, Nebraska, was also selling fraudulent documents obtained from Castro-Santos in California. Ruiz-Orozco was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 24 months on May 12, 2022. The remaining defendant in the case, Martin Alonzo Castro, is scheduled to be sentenced on January 6, 2023.

Investigators planned and executed coordinated arrests of the defendants on April 14, 2021. Investigators obtained warrants to search the Nebraska defendants’ residences and cars, yielding hundreds of counterfeit federal and state identity cards.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, and the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Armando Daniels, 33, of New York, was sentenced in federal court today in Omaha, Nebraska, for transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Daniels to 10 years of imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After completing his term of imprisonment, Daniels will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. 

Between January and April of 2021, Daniels (32 years old at the time) communicated with a 15-year-old female (“Victim”) from Sarpy County, Nebraska, via cellular phone and internet applications including Discord.  In April of 2021, Daniels drove from his home in New York to pick up Victim and take her to New York.  On the evening of April 6, 2021, Daniels arrived in Nebraska, picked up Victim, and began driving her to New York.  Victim left her cell phone at home in Nebraska.  That evening, when Victim’s family became aware she was missing, they called authorities and Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office instantly began trying to find her.

Using call records associated with Victim, deputies obtained cell phone location data of phones that had recently been in contact with Victim.  Located data showed the phones traveling east across Iowa and Illinois.  Location data showed that on the evening of April 7, 2021, the phones were in Princeton, Illinois.  The investigation later revealed that Daniels sexually assaulted Victim at a hotel in Princeton, Illinois.  Surveillance footage from the hotel showed Daniels and Victim together at the hotel.  

At about 4 a.m. on April 8, 2021, Indiana State troopers located Daniels and Victim in Elkhart, Indiana.  Daniels and Victim were parked in Daniels’s car.  Indiana State troopers arrested Daniels. 

This case was investigated by the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana State Police, the Suffolk County, New York Police Department, and 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.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Phillip D. Goetz, 45, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Goetz to 70 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a three- year term of supervised release.

On May 12, 2021, Omaha Police received a tip from a confidential source that Goetz was going to meet co-defendant Markisha Hill to purchase methamphetamine near 72nd and Grover Streets in Omaha.  Detectives conducted surveillance and observed Goetz approach and enter a vehicle driven by Hill.  The vehicle went to various locations, but at a Taco Bell, Goetz got out of Hill’s vehicle and entered a beige Jeep Grand Cherokee which left the area briefly before returning.  At this point, Goetz got out of the Jeep and returned to Hill’s vehicle. 

Officers followed Hill’s vehicle, observed a traffic infraction, and stopped the vehicle on I-80 near the 60th Street exit in Omaha. Law enforcement saw Goetz attempt to conceal something in his jacket. After consent to search the SUV by Hill was denied, officers deployed a trained drug sniffing dog.  The dog alerted on the SUV.  Officers searched and located one pound of methamphetamine in the SUV’s center console.

Co-defendant Markisha Hill has pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and will be sentenced on December 9, 2022.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 14 unsealed Indictments charging 16 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.

*          Ronald Lynn Ballou, age 40, of Omaha, is charged with felon in possession of a firearm on or about August 12, 2022.  The penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, three-years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Lacie Brown, age 21, of Sutherland, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Brown with identity theft on or about July 28, 2020.  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 Brown with identity theft on or about January 3, 2021.  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.  

*          Orlando Alonso Castro-Gutierrez, age 28, and Alejandro Berrelleza-Borjorquez a/k/a Alejandro Lopez-Leon a/k/a Angel Garcia-Fuentes, age 24, are charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of fentanyl analogue on or about March 7, 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. 

*          Terry L. Christianson, age 65, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment.  Count I charges Christianson with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about March 27, 2022.  The penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, not less than ten-years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Christianson with possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime on or about March 27, 2022.  The penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ imprisonment up to life imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, three-years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges Christianson with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about March 27, 2022.  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. There is also an allegation to forfeit $7,125 in United States currency seized on or about March 27, 2022.

*          Paula R. Creps, age 51, of Papillion, Nebraska, is charged in a five-count Indictment.  Counts I-V charge Creps with mail fraud beginning on or about July 26, 2019 and continuing to on or about May 26, 2022.  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. 

*          Jose Guerrero-Lopez, age 29, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about March 16, 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 a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Andrew Scott Lawrence, age 41, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about March 18, 2022.  The penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, not less than ten-years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

There is also an allegation to forfeit $17,622 in United States currency seized on or about March 18, 2022.

*          Juan Montante-Sanchez, age 43, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about October 7, 2022.  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.

*          Santiago Montes-Osorio, age 29, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Montes-Osorio with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) beginning on or about May, 2022 and continuing to on or about July 21, 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 Montes-Osorio with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (actual) on or about July 21, 2022.  The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to a 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. 

*          Matthew Frederick Strohl, age 42, of Omaha, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about April 22, 2022.  The penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, not less than ten-years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Javier Tyee a/k/a Kelven Tabbs, age 50, of Panama City Beach, Florida, and Xanthe Tabbs, a/k/a Xanthe Ivey, age 53, from Panama City Beach, Florida, are charged in a six-count Indictment.  Count I charges Tyee and Tabbs with conspiracy beginning on or about April 25, 2018 and continuing to on or about July 19, 2018.  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.  Counts II-VI charge Tyee and Tabbs with wire fraud beginning on or about May 15, 2018 and continuing to on or about May 24, 2018.  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.

*          Angelica Ramos Torres Villa, age 42, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about June 26, 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. 

*          Miguel Vasquez Romero, age 22, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about October 4, 2022.  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.

*          Deshuan Whitfield, age 21, is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl (mixture) on or about September 23, 2022.  The penalty if convicted is not less than 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, not less than three-years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Michael Aponte, 32, of Pennellville, New York, and Rawy Correa-Perez, 31, of Avon Park, Florida, were sentenced today by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.  Aponte received a sentence of 130 months’ imprisonment with a five-year term of supervised release to follow.  Correa-Perez received a sentence of 97 months’ imprisonment with a five-year term of supervised release to follow.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

Both Aponte and Correa-Perez were found guilty by a jury on May 19, 2022.  At trial, Douglas County Nebraska deputies testified that on February 26, 2021, they stopped a vehicle driven by Aponte for a traffic violation.  Correa-Perez was a passenger in the vehicle.  During the contact with Aponte and Correa-Perez, deputies noted several indicators of criminal behavior.  Deputies deployed “Bezos,” a certified drug detection canine, to perform a sniff around the vehicle.  Bezos indicated to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.  Deputies searched the vehicle and found 34 pounds of cocaine in the spare tire.

The Drug Enforcement Administration assisted in the investigation.  DEA special agents testified to obtaining and analyzing electronic data that was obtained from Apple Inc. for both Aponte and Correa-Perez.  The electronic data contained photographs consistent with the drug trade.  Special agents also provided expert testimony, including that the cocaine had a value of approximately $390,000.

In addition, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Bureau assisted in the analysis of both the cocaine and fingerprints that were obtained from the cocaine packaging.

This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Acting United States Attorney Steve Russell announced that Spencer Lile, 42, formerly of Exeter, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Judge John M. Gerrard for receipt of child pornography. Lile was sentenced to 7 years in prison, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is no parole in the federal system.  Liles was additionally ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution.

On August 4, 2021, Spencer Lile was arrested on state charges of theft and possession of a controlled substance.  A search warrant for the search of Lile’s cellphone related to those offenses was received by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.  On August 5, 2021, a download of the cellphone was completed, and child pornography was located on the device.  Based on the discovery of apparent child pornography on the phone, a federal search warrant to search the phone for child pornography evidence was received on September 27, 2021.  A review of Lile’s cellphone revealed 424 files of child pornography which included 302 of video files. 

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.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Rogelio Salas, Jr., 26, of Weslaco, Texas, was sentenced today by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 33 months’ imprisonment for threatening to shoot employees and a specific victim who worked at the McCook, Nebraska Wal-Mart.  After Salas, Jr.’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On January 8, 2022, Salas, Jr. indicated he was outside the Wal-Mart with firearms and explosives and stated that he was going to enter the store with the weapons to kill the victim.  Salas, Jr. made multiple threatening calls to the store, and the store evacuated all employees and customers as a result of the threats.  Investigation revealed that Salas, Jr. was, in fact, in the State of Texas at the time that the threatening calls were made to the Nebraska retailer.

Salas, Jr. began a campaign of threatening and harassing the victim that started when the victim refused to play online video games anymore with Salas, Jr. because Salas, Jr. was using homosexual slurs during the video game sessions that offended the victim.  Once the victim stopped playing online games with Salas, Jr., Salas Jr. began to contact the victim on social media and determined the victim’s specific workplace at the McCook area Wal-Mart.  Salas, Jr. pled guilty to transmitting threats in interstate commerce on July 21, 2022.

For this conduct, Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Salas, Jr. to a term of 33 months in federal prison, the longest sentence authorized by Salas, Jr.’s plea of guilty.  Judge Gerrard noted the disturbing frequency of threat cases coming before him recently and issued the sentence in part because of the fear that the defendant caused in all of the individuals at the Wal-Mart store that day and because it was all unnecessarily done over a video game dispute.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

This case was investigated by North Platte FBI and the McCook Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Dontevis Morrow, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on October 12, 2022, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Morrow to 130 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Morrow will begin a four-year term of supervised release.

On September 14, 2020, Morrow sold a .45 caliber Derringer handgun to a cooperating witness working with law enforcement. Morrow is a convicted felon prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms. A grand jury indicted Morrow in March 2021, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On February 2, 2022, Omaha police stopped a vehicle travelling on Fort Street with a non-functional brake light. Officers determined Morrow was driving with a suspended license and also had a federal warrant for his arrest related to the indictment. Morrow consented to a search of his person and it was found he had a bag of methamphetamine in his pant leg. Laboratory testing confirmed the bag contained 56.482 grams of methamphetamine.

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 Omaha Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Steve E. Eggiman, 62, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for transportation of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Eggiman to 78 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Eggiman will begin a five-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. Judge Buescher ordered Eggiman to pay $9,000 in restitution and a $5,000 JVTA special assessment.

On November 23, 2020, Yahoo! Inc., an Electronic Service Provider, identified at least one image of child pornography that was transported through Yahoo! email servers.  Yahoo! captured the Internet Protocol (IP) address that was used by the account user to transport the child pornography. Law enforcement obtained information related to the IP address, which ultimately identified Eggiman as the subscriber and that he resided in Omaha.

Members of the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force executed a federal search warrant of Eggiman’s residence.  The FBI seized Eggiman’s digital devices.  Eggiman gave a voluntary statement to law enforcement during which he admitted to transporting and possessing child pornography.  A forensic review of Eggiman’s digital devices found 71 images and 3 videos 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 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.

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

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Darnell L. Polite, 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Polite to 180 months’ imprisonment.  Following his release, Polite will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.  

On April 8, 2021, Omaha Police Officers responded to an apartment in Omaha for a drug overdose.  On arrival, officers observed three parties in the living room unresponsive and being treated by Omaha Fire Department Medics. Omaha Fire Department was able to administer Narcan to two of the victims who then became conscious. A third victim was taken to the hospital and revived.

The victims identified Polite’s apartment as where they bought the illegal drugs.  A state of Nebraska court authorized search warrant was obtained. During the search, officers located 3.38 pounds of marijuana, 10.23 ounces of methamphetamine, 23 grams of suspected fentanyl, and a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun later verified to have been stolen out of Carter Lake. Also, in the apartment was $2,300, multiple clear baggies, and digital scales.  

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced Roberto Garcia-Gutierrez, 32, of Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Garcia-Gutierrez to imprisonment for 135 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Garcia-Gutierrez will be deported by U.S. immigration authorities when he completes his sentence to imprisonment.

In May 2021, Garcia-Gutierrez became involved in a drug conspiracy distributing methamphetamine in Omaha. A confidential source (CS) working for the Drug Enforcement Administration arranged the purchase of methamphetamine from co-defendant Roberto Balbuena-Ignacio. On May 20, 2021, the CS met with co-defendant Cash C. Cosgriff, and successfully purchased approximately a pound of methamphetamine. The CS also conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine on at least three other occasions from other members of the drug conspiracy.

On August 2, 2021, Garcia-Gutierrez was arrested after leaving a residence located in the 19th blook of South 10th Street, in Omaha. DEA and OPD investigators recovered approximately 56.6 pounds of methamphetamine and 2 kilograms of cocaine from that residence.

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