District of Nebraska

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Anthony Robb, 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. on June 26, 2020 for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Robb received a sentence of 120 months with a five-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.

On January 22, 2019, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Anthony Robb, who was in possession of 1.1 grams of methamphetamine. Robb admitted to meth possession and consented to a search of his home. At his home, officers located 41.56 grams of methamphetamine.

Ultimately, Robb admitted to involvement in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy beginning as early as July 1, 2018 and continuing until January 22, 2019, in which Robb obtained methamphetamine from suppliers and redistributed it. Robb admitted that he is responsible for distribution of 2.37 kilograms of methamphetamine in addition to that which was seized from him.

This case was investigated by Omaha Police Department.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Charles Neil Parker, 39, and Krista Parker, 36, were sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for multiple counts of intentional child abuse. United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Charles Neil Parker and Krista Parker each to 72 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After their releases from prison, Charles Neil Parker and Krista Parker will each serve an 18-month term of supervised release.

In September 2018, officers responded to a residence in Macy, Nebraska, after receiving a report that a party guest at the residence had observed a child locked in the basement. Officers located the then-nine-year-old victim in a locked utility room in the basement. The door to the room was secured with an eye-hook latch on the outside and had a contact alarm that sounded when the door was opened. Officers observed that the room had a concrete floor, no windows, and no ventilation. The victim had two urine-soaked blankets on the floor to sleep on. The floor and walls were also soiled with urine and feces. The officers observed two toys, an empty chip bag, and an empty soda bottle. The wall contained stick figure drawings and tally marks. The door had scratch marks dug into it on the inside.

Krista Parker was located intoxicated and asleep in another room of the house. During an interview the next day, Krista Parker first stated that the victim must have wandered into the room and gotten locked in by mistake, but later admitted to locking the victim in the room because she wanted to “have one night of fun” after a stressful week at work. Krista Parker had sent her biological children to their grandmother’s house for the night. Charles Neil Parker could not be located on the night of the report, but during a subsequent interview admitted that the Parkers locked the victim in the room sometimes due to his behavior.

The victim, who suffers from cognitive delays and is believed to be on the autism spectrum, reported that he always slept and ate in the room and was unable to leave the room to use the bathroom. The victim was identified as a foster child placed in the Parkers’ care by the Omaha Tribe Children and Family Services. At the time, Krista Parker was employed with Children and Family Services as a case aid.

Judge Rossiter described the Parkers’ treatment of the victim as “horrible” and “unforgiveable.”

United States Attorney Joe Kelly stated, “Today justice was done for one of the most vulnerable victims—a child placed with a couple who saw an opportunity to make money while continuing to exploit a child who was unable to cry out for help.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Kristi Johnson says the FBI agents who investigate violent crime in Indian Country are passionate about the tribal communities they serve. “Once the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services responded to the 911 call and arrested Krista Parker on local charges, the FBI immediately started investigating. Their work resulted in federal charges and today’s federal sentences against Parker and her husband.”

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 Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Janalee M. Ramirez, 35, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today to five years and three months, (63 months), in federal prison, by Chief United States District John M. Gerrard, for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture.  Following the prison term, Ramirez will serve three years on supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Information provided to law enforcement indicated Ramirez was responsible for the distribution of at least 50 grams (approximately 1 ¾ ounces) of actual methamphetamine and at least 1.5 kilograms (approximately three pounds) of methamphetamine mixture in the Lincoln area between April 2018 and April 2019.  On April 22, 2019, Ramirez agreed to let officers search her Lincoln apartment. During that search, two baggies containing methamphetamine residue were found.  At that time, Ramirez admitted to officers that she had about five methamphetamine customers who were buying ¼ ounce to ½ ounce quantities at a time.

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

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Willis T. Brown, 31, formerly a Staff Sergeant for the United States Air Force, was sentenced today in federal court for possessing child pornography.  United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Brown to 54 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Brown will begin a 7-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

The Nebraska State Patrol was conducting an undercover investigation into individuals receiving child pornography through the internet.  A computer at Brown’s residence was identified as sharing images of child pornography.  Two of the files involved seven- to nine-year-old girls engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  A search warrant was executed in October 2018.  Forensic examination of Brown’s devices revealed five images of child pornography in unallocated space.  Search terms indicating earlier searches of child pornography were also found.

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

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Jessica Kleckner, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. She received a total sentence of 137 months with a five-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.

On August 15, 2019, Omaha Police Department officers executed a search warrant at a residence. Officers observed Kleckner standing by the passenger side of a silver Jeep Nitro. Officers detained her and deployed a drug detection canine that alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating from the vehicle. Inside of the vehicle, officers found Kleckner’s purse. In it, officers located 16.9 grams of lab-confirmed actual methamphetamine, numerous narcotic pills, baggies, a scale, drug ledgers, and a loaded 9mm Arsenal handgun.

This case was investigated by Omaha Police Gang Unit as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a national initiative of the Department of Justice that was announced in 2001 to reduce and prevent violent crime and make the nation’s neighborhoods safer.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Trevor C. Maaske, age 21, of Loomis, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 144 months’ imprisonment for receipt and distribution of child pornography.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Maaske will begin an 8-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.  Judge Rossiter ordered Maaske to pay restitution in the amount of $9,000.

An investigation conducted by FBI determined that on July 19, 2019, an agent with the FBI, while working in an undercover capacity on the internet, received a private message from Maaske using Kik Messenger.  Kik Messenger is an online application and website with servers located outside the State of Nebraska.  During the course of the Kik Messenger conversation between Maaske and the FBI agent, Maaske sent the FBI agent a video of a minor child undressing and completely naked. Upon receipt of the video, the FBI immediately obtained and executed a federal search warrant of Maaske’s residence.  The FBI seized a digital device from Maaske’s bedroom, which contained child pornography that had been sent and received through 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 United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Travis Christopher Harvey, 42, of West Des Moines, Iowa, was sentenced on June 24, 2020 by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for conspiracy to distribute and for possessing with intent to distribute five hundred grams or more of methamphetamine.  Harvey received a sentence of 240 months with a five-year term of supervised release to follow.  There is no parole in the federal system.

In mid-2018, a Drug Enforcement Administration led task force initiated Operation Dog Pound, which was a drug interdiction effort focused on an Omaha, Nebraska, drug trafficking organization.  Harvey was identified during the investigation as a distributor in the Des Moines, Iowa, area that was receiving multi-pound shipments of methamphetamine from his Omaha supplier.  Investigators utilized phone and text messaging intercepts, vehicle trackers, and physical surveillance to establish Harvey’s involvement in the conspiracy.

A federal jury convicted Harvey in February of this year.  Evidence at trial included $30,000 that was seized and intercepted phone calls between Harvey and his source.  At sentencing, Judge Rossiter found Harvey responsible for at least 5.4 kilograms of methamphetamine.  Harvey’s sentence of 240 months is noteworthy because of his extensive criminal history, which included several drug, firearm, assault, burglary, and domestic violence convictions, placing him in the highest possible category for criminal history.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Nebraska State Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Omaha Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Attorney’s Office were the investigating agencies.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Nereus Sutko, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for healthcare fraud. Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Sutko to 46 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Sutko will serve a 3-year term of supervised release. Sutko will also be required to pay $809,561 in restitution and will forfeit certain property, including a Corvette and a speedboat.

In 2017, investigators began receiving reports of suspicious billings by Better Lives, LLC. The investigation showed that between 2010 and 2019, Sutko operated Better Lives, an Omaha-based business purporting to sell durable medical equipment to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Sutko hosted pizza parties and other gatherings at senior living residences and low-income housing facilities and obtained healthcare program beneficiaries’ personal and insurance information under the guise of providing free items such as heating pads or shoe inserts. Sutko offered gift cards and other rewards to people who referred healthcare beneficiaries to him or provided him with the names and insurance information of beneficiaries. Sutko then billed healthcare programs, including Medicare, Nebraska Medicaid, and Iowa Medicaid for fitted braces and other durable medical equipment that was never prescribed for nor provided to the beneficiary. Investigators interviewed dozens of beneficiaries throughout their investigation. Sutko primarily targeted beneficiaries in the Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, and Des Moines, Iowa areas. Between 2010 and 2019, Sutko was paid more than $1.8 million by Medicare, Nebraska Medicaid, and Iowa Medicaid. On May 8, 2019, investigators from multiple federal and state agencies executed a search warrant at Sutko’s residence in Omaha and took Sutko into custody on a federal arrest warrant.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly reminds the public that elder fraud and schemes that target and use the elderly are a priority of the Department of Justice.

“Sutko thought his scams would result in riches, but he failed to account for the commitment of our investigators to root out such fraud,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue working with our Federal and State law enforcement partners to protect taxpayers and the integrity of government health programs.”

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations, the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse Unit with assistance from the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General Office of Investigators.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Christopher Osborne on June 22, 2020 to a term of imprisonment of 78 months. Osborne will serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his release from the Bureau of Prisons. There is no parole in the federal prison system. 

Osborne, 39, of Omaha, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Omaha Police Department Narcotics investigators arranged controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Osborne in August of 2018. On September 4, 2018, investigators executed a warrant to search an address in Omaha where Osborne was staying with another person. Investigators seized nearly 200 grams of methamphetamine from the room used by Osborne.  Defendant admitted to selling methamphetamine after his arrest.

The case was primarily investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Ashlie Rickards, 27, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. on June 18, 2020 for transferring a firearm to a prohibited person. She received a three-year term of probation.

An ATF investigation revealed that Rickards purchased two Taurus 9mm handguns in 2016. According to firearms transactions records executed by Rickards, she purchased four handguns between the dates of September 22 and September 24, 2016. Two of the purchases were, by Rickards own admissions, straw purchases.  A straw purchase occurs when someone buys a firearm for another person who is legally prohibited from purchasing a firearm.

Between September 11 and September 24, 2019, Omaha Police conducted two interviews with Rickards. Ultimately, she admitted to purchasing two Taurus 9mm 111G2 handguns for her then boyfriend in exchange for money. The boyfriend was prohibited from possessing a firearm. During each purchase, Rickards falsified firearm transaction documents indicating that she was the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm listed when, in fact, she was acquiring the firearm on behalf of another person, which is a violation of federal law. Her boyfriend is not charged at this time.

This case was investigated by Omaha Police officers who are members of a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives task force. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a national initiative of the Department of Justice that was announced in 2001 to reduce and prevent violent crime and make the nation’s neighborhoods safer.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that John West, Jr., 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. on June 18, 2020, for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. He received a sentence of 120 months’ imprisonment with a five-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.

On December 6, 2018, Sarpy County Sheriff’s deputies utilized an informant to purchase approximately 1.5 grams of methamphetamine mixture from West inside of West’s residence. Then on March 14, 2019, the informant purchased 11 grams of actual methamphetamine from West. On March 25, 2019, the informant purchased 12 grams of actual methamphetamine from West. Later that same day, the informant purchased a stolen/defaced Springfield XDs 9mm handgun from West. On April 11, 2019, the informant purchased 2 grams of actual methamphetamine from West on the street outside of his residence. On April 30, 2019, the informant purchased 11 grams of actual methamphetamine from West. On June 27, 2019, the informant purchased 10 grams of actual methamphetamine from West inside of his residence. On August 6, 2019, officers executed a search warrant on West’s residence and seized 75 grams of actual methamphetamine, a scale, a cell phone, and $801. A search of the phone showed text messages evidencing his involvement in sales of methamphetamine. In a post-Miranda interview, West admitted to selling and using methamphetamine.

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

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Mark H. King, 57, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distribution of child pornography. United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced King to 84 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, King will serve a 7-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. King was also ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution.

In February 2019 investigators with Homeland Security Investigations identified a Northwest Omaha residence uploading child pornography onto a blogging website. Agents went to the residence and had contact with King, who admitted to viewing child pornography on the internet and chatting with others on the internet who shared child pornography. Agents seized King’s cell phone and computer and located at least 588 images and 14 video files depicting child pornography, including videos of adult males raping infants and toddlers. The devices also contained evidence of King sharing child pornography with others.

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.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 37 Unsealed Indictments charging 39 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.

*          Jesse Alcantar, age 26, of Redlands, California, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about November 15, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about November 15, 2019. 

*          Nolan Lee Al-Jaddou, age 35, is charged with transmission of an interstate communication containing a threat to injure the person of another on or about March, 25, 2020.  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. 

*          Jason L. Bates, age 48, of Omaha, is charged with coercion and enticement of a minor beginning on or about March 30, 2020, through on or about April 6. 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Lashannon D. Bland, age 40, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute a detectable amount of cocaine (mixture) on February 6, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges the defendant with using or possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime on or about February 6. 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges the defendant with felon in possession of a firearm on or about February 6. 2020. 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.    

*          Lorenzo Cristobal-Francisco, age 34, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about June 8, 2020.  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.

*          Isidro De La Luz Reyes, age 47, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about May 31, 2020.  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.

*          Timothy Raymond Denney, age 35, of Santee Indian Reservation, Nebraska, is charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country on or about May 3, 2020.  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. 

*          John A. Duncan, age 36, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with receipt and distribution of child pornography on or about February 9, 2019 and continuing to on or about March 3, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a $35,000 additional special assessment and $3,000 Restitution.  Count II charges the defendant with possession of child pornography on or about February 6, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a $17,000 additional special assessment and $3,000 Restitution.   

*          Wendy A. Eckert, age 40, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to deliver 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) and 5 grams more of methamphetamine (actual) beginning on November 1, 2018, and continuing through October 23, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, ten-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

  *        Jesus Frias-Garcia, age 48, is charged with fraudulent use of a social security number on or about October 22, 2014 and continuing through March 17, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, one-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment. 

*          Bernardo Juan Garcia Raymundo, age 27, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about May 3, 2020.  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.

*          Derrick Ray Geesaman, age 30, of Niobrara, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with assault of a spouse, intimate partner, or dating partner by strangulation in Indian Country on or about March 31, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.            Count II charges the defendant with domestic assault by an habitual offender in Indian Country on or about March 31, 2020.  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.  

*          Jorge Gonzalez Renteria, age 27, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about May 14, 2020.  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. 

*          Jason J. Griess, age 30, of Ashton, Nebraska, is charged in a four-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with production of child pornography on or about December 28, 2018 and continuing to on or about January 1, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a $50,000 additional special assessment.  Count II charges the defendant with production of child pornography on or about December 28, 2018 and continuing to on or about January 1, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a $50,000 additional special assessment.  Count III charges the defendant with production of child pornography on or about March 17, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a $50,000 additional special assessment.  Count VI charges the defendant with distribution of child pornography on or about August 10, 2019 and continuing through August 16, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a $35,000 additional special assessment.   

*          Leah Hallstrom, age 35, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Adam Ross, age 26, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, are charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Hallstrom with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to deliver 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) beginning on May 22, 2019, and continuing through February, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges both defendants with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on February 17, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, four-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  

*          William L. Hawkins, age 42, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment.  Counts I and II charge the defendant with distribution of a detectable amount of cocaine (mixture) on or about January 8, 2020 and on March 2, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty, on each count, if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges the defendant with possession of ammunition as a felon on or about March 6. 2020. 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.     

*          Samuel Izaguirre, age 19, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with being an unlawful user in possession of ammunition on or about May 29. 2020. 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.     

*          Nicholas James Kuhr, age 26, of Omaha, is charged with coercion and enticement of a minor beginning on or about March 17, 2020, through on or about March 23, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment and $5,000 additional special assessment. 

*          Gregory B. Lane, age 53, is charged in a nine-count Indictment.  Counts I through VIII charge the defendant with Wire Fraud from on or about March 22, 2019 and continuing through September 3, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count.  Count IX charges the defendant with theft of postal property on or about March 22, 2019 and continuing through September 3, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 3 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Tanner J. Leichleiter, age 30, of Tekamah, Nebraska, and Nora Gilda Guevara Tirana, age 42, of Tekamah, Nebraska, are charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendants with kidnapping and aiding and abetting beginning on or about April 19, 2020, through on or about April 20, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Leichleiter with prohibited person in possession of firearms beginning on or about April 19, 2020 and continuing through April 20, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.  

*          Harold Gene Linscomb, age 31, of Houston, Texas, Zachary Daniel Harris, age 28, of Houston, Texas, and Kion Verdier, age 27, of Manvel, Texas are charged in a four-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendants with conspiracy to commit bank larceny on or about January 1, 2020 and continuing through April 12, 2020.  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.  Count II charges the defendants with bank theft on or about April 11, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges the defendants with bank theft on or about April 12, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count IV charges Harris with carjacking on or about April 12, 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.  

*          Vicente Lopez Andrade, a/k/a Alfredo Delapaz Espericueta, age 39, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about October 20, 2019, following an aggravated felony conviction.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Carlos Jesus Lorenzana, a/k/a Carlos De Jesus Lorenzana-Cifuentes, a/k/a Carlos De Jesus Lorenzana Cifuentes, a/k/a Carlos Gonzales Gonzales, age 34, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to deliver 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on February 18, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty for each if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, four-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about February 18, 2020. 

*          Victor Mar Betancourt, age 46, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about March 27, 2020, following an aggravated felony conviction.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Victor Manuel Roman-Degante, age 29, is charged with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about February 4, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Jonathan Daniel Rooney, age 25, is charged with manslaughter in Indian Country on or about May 16, 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. 

*          Ronche L. Scaife, age 37, of Omaha, is charged with felon in possession of ammunition on or about April 21, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment. 

*          Odies Scott, age 56, of Omaha, is charged with felon in possession of a firearm on or about March 5, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment. 

*          Robert Charles Shelton, age 55, of Laughlin, Nevada, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with transportation of child pornography with a prior sex offense on or about October 16, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty is 40 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a $35,000 additional special assessment.  Count II charges the defendant with possession of child pornography with a prior sex offense on or about October 16, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a $17,000 additional special assessment. 

*          Jeremy T. Smith, age 43, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with distribution of a detectable amount of crack cocaine on or about January 15, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, $2,000,000 fine, six-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams of cocaine (mixture) on or about March 6, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $8,000,000 fine, eight-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges the defendant with using or possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime on or about March 6, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ to life consecutive imprisonment to drug charge, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.     

*          Austin M. Thomas, age 29, is charged with theft of mail matter by postal employee on or about September, 2019 and continuing through January, 2020.  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. 

*          Juan Carlos Torres-Torres, a/k/a Juan Jose Torres. a/k/a Primo, age 34, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about February 7, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about February 10, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute a detectable amount of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about April 21, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about April 21, 2020.      

*          Lacee Dawn Tuttle, age 38, of Pierce, Nebraska, is charged in a four-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about July 14, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with obstruction of justice on or about July 14, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about October 22, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.   Count IV charges the defendant with obstruction of justice on or about October 22, 2019.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Raul Valdez Rivas, age 26, of Omaha, is charged with coercion and enticement of a minor beginning on or about April 16, 2020, through on or about April 29, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment and $5,000 additional special assessment. 

*          Richard T. Walker, II, age 27, of Omaha, is charged with abusive sexual contact with a child under 12 beginning on or about January 19, 2020, through on or about February 8, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment and $5,000 additional special assessment. 

*          Travis S. Walker, age 20, of Winnebago Indian Reservation, Nebraska, is charged with felon in possession of firearm on or about June 1, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and $100 special assessment. 

*          Roemello Weaver, age 21, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute marijuana on or about April 14, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, two-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about April 14, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ to life imprisonment consecutive to the drug charge, $250,000 fine, five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

 

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced James Vanscoyk today to a term of imprisonment of 90 months. Vanscoyk will serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his release from the Bureau of Prisons. There is no parole in the federal prison system. 

Vanscoyk, 42, was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.  In February 2019, law enforcement was tipped off that Vanscoyk was distributing methamphetamine in the Omaha metropolitan area.  On February 19, 2019, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of one pound of methamphetamine from Vanscoyk. In order to complete the transaction, Vanscoyk and a cooperating source traveled from Vanscoyk’s residence in Omaha to Council Bluffs, Iowa, to meet with Vanscoyk’s supplier, Jason Paul Rodriguez, a/k/a “Chico”. Vanscoyk then brokered the deal for the pound of methamphetamine between Rodriguez and the cooperating source.

Rodriguez, the leader of the conspiracy, was prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. On March 12, 2020, Rodriguez was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 360 months.  

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

United States Attorney Joe Kelly and Kristi K. Johnson, Special Agent in Charge of the Omaha field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced the unsealing of indictments charging six Nigerian nationals for their involvement in Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes. The schemes included individual victims and victim businesses both in Nebraska and other states. BECs are sophisticated cyber crimes involving electronic transfer payments or automated clearinghouse transfers.

The indictments charge the defendants with one or more of the following violations of federal law: 1) Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, punishable by up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000; 2) Identity theft and access device fraud, each punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The Nigerian nationals charged and still at large are: Richard Uzuh; Micheal Olorunyomi; Alex Ogunshakin; Felix Okpoh; Abiola Kayode and Nnamdi Benson. An indictment is a formal accusation returned by a grand jury upon establishing probable cause. The indictment is not evidence of guilt and defendants are entitled to a presumption of innocence. Two related defendants have entered pleas of guilty. Adewale Aniyeloye was sentenced in the District of Nebraska to 96 months’ imprisonment for wire fraud. Onome Ijomone received a 60 month sentence for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The unsealed indictments are attached.

Indictment 1

Indictment 2

Indictment 3

Because of the BEC scheme set forth in the unsealed indictments the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) has taken the extraordinary step of imposing financial sanctions on each of the six fugitives. As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests in property held by these individuals and subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked and other persons are blocked from engaging in financial transactions with these fugitives.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly thanked the efforts of the Omaha FBI and more particularly the excellent work of the FBI Omaha Field Office Cyber Task Force. He cautioned the public that every day we see victims ranging from the elderly losing their accumulated life’s savings, to large scale businesses falling prey to BEC, romance, COVID and any number of other opportune scams. Additionally, if the public has any information regarding the current whereabouts of the six fugitives please call law enforcement immediately.

Special Agent in Charge Johnson noted, “The FBI is working every day to disrupt and dismantle the criminal enterprises that target our businesses and our citizens. Today’s charges are another successful example of our commitment to working together with our foreign colleagues abroad and we’re sending a strong message to the criminals who perpetrate these BEC schemes. We will continue coming after you, no matter where you are. And to the public, we will keep doing everything we can to protect you.”  FBI Omaha Special Agent Jacob Foiles will be available for questions regarding the Business Email Compromise investigation.  The media availability will be at 3:00 pm TODAY at FBI headquarters, 4411 S. 121st Court.  If you plan to attend, please email FBI Public Affairs, aeadams@fbi.gov for instructions for entering the property.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The law enforcement actions taken related to these prosecutions were assisted by the efforts of law enforcement counterparts from Nigeria. The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation wish to thank their partners in Nigeria, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and National Central Bureau, Abuja – INTERPOL (Nigeria Police Force), for their past and continued assistance in pursuing those that engage in Business Email Compromise and other fraud schemes.

Wanted posters attached to this release contain additional details about the six individuals still at large. 

RICHARD IZUCHUKWU UZUH

ALEX AFOLABI OGUNSHAKIN

MICHEAL OLORUNYOMI

FELIX OSILAMA OKPOH

ABIOLA AYORINDE KAYODE

NNAMDI ORSON BENSON

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Terrence Sayers, age 26, was sentenced in federal court on June 12, 2020, in Omaha, Nebraska, for the receipt and distribution of child pornography.  District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Sayers to 96 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Following Sayers’s term of imprisonment, he will begin a 15-year term of supervised release.  Sayers pleaded guilty to the offenses on February 14, 2020.  

On May 20, 2014, Sayers utilized his Gmail account to receive 32 images of child pornography.  The images included prepubescent minors.  On March 24, 2015, Sayers utilized the same Gmail account to distribute various images of child pornography.  Sayers distributed the images by sending them to other individuals over the internet using the Gmail account.  The images included prepubescent minors. 

On October 24, 2017, a search warrant was conducted on Sayers’s Gmail account which he had used to receive and distribute the images of child pornography.  More than 500 images and videos of child pornography were located on the account.  

Sayers is currently in custody in Nebraska state prison based on a 2017 conviction for arson in the first degree.  Sayers’s federal sentence shall run consecutively to his state sentence and shall begin when his state sentence ends.

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.

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security- Homeland Security Investigations. 

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Adam Scott Barnes, 26, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for production of child pornography. United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Barnes to 300 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Barnes will serve a 10-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

In September 2019, federal agents began investigating after receiving a report that a Dropbox user had uploaded approximately 596 images and videos of suspected child pornography. Agents executed a search warrant at Barnes’s residence and seized several electronic devices, including Barnes’s cell phone. Barnes admitted to receiving and viewing child pornography. When agents began to review the images and videos on Barnes’s cell phone, they determined that at least one image and one video depicted child pornography that had been produced in Barnes’s residence with Barnes’s cell phone. The six-year-old victim identified Barnes as the person who had produced the image and video. After his arrest, Barnes admitted to producing child pornography.

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

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Jose Munoz Perdomo, 24, formerly of Bronx, New York, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  Perdomo was sentenced for a term of 14 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release with special conditions.  He will also be required to pay $52,587.31 in restitution, to be paid joint and several with codefendant, Melissa Carmona Valenzuela, who will be sentenced at a later date.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

Jose Munoz Perdomo and his co-defendant, Melissa Carmona Valenzuela, traveled through the state of Colorado and subsequently in Nebraska perpetrating a fraudulent scheme against Verizon Wireless. It was part of the scheme that the conspirators used stolen personal identifying information, including an individual’s name and social security number, to create Verizon Wireless accounts. Once a Verizon account was created, Valenzuela was made an authorized user on the account and she would access the account to purchase electronic devices and accessories. The conspirators traveled to different Verizon stores/retailers, and at each Verizon store/retailer, they would purchase or attempt to purchase phones, tablets, smart watches, and accessories as an authorized user on an account. It was part of the scheme that Valenzuela continued to access a specific Verizon account for purchase financing until the maximum financing amount had been reached at which time, she would begin using a new fraudulently created Verizon account using another stolen identity. These purchases would then be financed through the Verizon account and the balance would be billed to the false account causing financial loss to Verizon.

Pursuant to this scheme, Verizon Wireless suffered a loss of more than $40,000 which can be attributed to Perdomo and Valenzuela’s conduct throughout Nebraska and Colorado. Further investigation has revealed that Perdomo had played a role in this same scheme in additional states including Washington as well.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Steven G. Peterson, 41, formerly of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced On June 11, 2020, in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for receipt of child pornography. Peterson was sentenced to 90 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release with special conditions, to be concurrent with the undischarged term imposed in Count I of the Superseding Indictment.  He will also be required to register as a sex offender and pay $4,000.00 in restitution.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

On April 24, 2018, a search and seizure warrant was executed at Peterson’s residence in Grand Island, Nebraska for any electronic devices that may contain child pornography.  Numerous devices were seized from his residence.  A forensic examination of the devices were performed and three of the devices belonging to Peterson were found to contain child exploitive materials.  More than 591 image files and 6 videos containing child pornography were discovered on his laptop computer.   The files on the laptop included content portraying the sexual abuse and exploitation of infants or toddlers.

Approximately 328 child exploitive materials were located on Peterson’s tablet device.  The materials on the tablet included videos portraying sadistic sexually explicit acts involving teenagers as well as photographs of children as young as three engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Approximately 53 images and 6 videos displaying child pornography were located on his phone.  The content on the phone included materials portraying children as young as infants engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  The user information for these three devices indicated that they were in the possession and control of Peterson.

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 Grand Island Police Department.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Jorge Villarreal-Rojo today to a term of imprisonment of 72 months.  Villarreal-Rojo will serve a 2-year term of supervised release following his release from the Bureau of Prisons. There is no parole in the federal prison system. 

Villarreal-Rojo, 21, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On August 26, 2019, Villarreal-Rojo was stopped by the Omaha Police Department for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, officers seized approximately one ounce of marijuana and $11,300. Investigators received consent to search Villarreal-Rojo’s residence in Omaha and recovered approximately 13 pounds of methamphetamine. The methamphetamine was intended for distribution in the Omaha metropolitan area.  The money was forfeited to the United States.

The case was primarily investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Omaha Police Department.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Billy Anthony O’Keefe, 34, of Blue Springs, Nebraska, was sentenced today to 15 years, (180 months), in federal prison, by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture.  There is no parole in the federal system. Following the prison term, O’Keefe will serve five years on supervised release.

Information provided to law enforcement indicated O’Keefe was involved in the distribution of more than 500 grams (approximately 18 ounces) of methamphetamine in the Lincoln area between May of 2017 and March of 2019.

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

 

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Kayla Marie Miller, age 30, was sentenced in federal court today in Omaha, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Miller to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing her term of imprisonment, Miller will begin a five-year term of supervised release. 

Miller was previously convicted and sentenced to probation in Douglas County for her involvement in distributing methamphetamine in October 2018. While on probation, narcotic detectives with the Omaha Police Department became aware that Miller was still selling methamphetamine.  On May 16, 2019, during a traffic stop, Miller was in possession of 19 grams of actual methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Wilfredo Diaz-Lopez today to a term of imprisonment of 63 months.  There is no parole in the federal prison system.  Diaz-Lopez will be deported from the United States to Mexico after serving his prison term.

Diaz-Lopez, 37, was convicted of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine with Jose Feliciano Tovar-Quintero in the Omaha area between September and October 2019.  Diaz-Lopez and Tovar-Quintero, driving separate cars, were observed by law enforcement meeting in a Menards parking lot in Omaha. Both vehicles were subsequently stopped and searched by officers. During the search of Diaz-Lopez’s vehicle, investigators seized more than 200 grams of methamphetamine.

On May 11, 2020, co-defendant Tovar-Quintero was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 60 months, after which time he will be deported from the United States to Mexico. 

The case was primarily investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Omaha Field Division, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. 

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Dilson Villatoro, 36, of Grand Island, to a 108-month term of imprisonment today for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Villatoro will serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from the Bureau of Prisons. There is no parole in the federal system. Villatoro, a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States, will likely be deported from the United States to Guatemala after serving his prison term.

In October of 2019, a patrol officer stopped Villatoro’s vehicle after he failed to signal a turn. After the vehicle came to a complete stop, Villatoro got out and began walking away from the scene at a brisk pace. The officer instructed him to stop, and he was escorted back to his vehicle and frisked. The patrol officer found a pipe used for smoking methamphetamine in Villatoro’s pants pocket. Officers subsequently recovered more than 200 grams of methamphetamine from two Ziploc baggies found on the passenger side floorboard of his vehicle.  

The case was primarily investigated by the Grand Island Police Department.    

 

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Jeffrey Treu, former police chief of Wisner, Nebraska, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp to 12 months of probation for making a false statement to a special agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  He will also be required to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment. 

Upon leaving his employment as a Deputy with the Antelope County Sheriff’s Office in 2007, Treu failed to return a firearm, which had been modified into a fully automatic law enforcement weapon. When the Antelope County Sheriff’s Office discovered the firearm missing from the inventory in early 2019, they contacted ATF to investigate.  Treu was subsequently questioned and lied to authorities, indicating he had previously returned the gun.  After being presented with contradictory statements and information known to ATF agents, Treu admitted to lying to investigators and led them to the location of the firearm, which was found within his home.  

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

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the unsealing of a criminal complaint charging Jonathan Daniel Rooney, age 25, of Winnebago, Nebraska with Manslaughter occurring in Indian Country for the death of Kozee Decorah. Rooney’s arrest occurred on June 1, 2020. The maximum punishment for the offense is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Rooney appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Susan M. Bazis on June 3, 2020. A preliminary hearing and a detention hearing will be held at a date to be determined. As this matter concerns an ongoing investigation, the United States Attorney’s Office is unable to provide additional comment at this time.

This case was investigated by the Winnebago Police Department, the Nebraska State Fire Marshal, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

A complaint is a formal accusation of conduct, not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that O’Neill Ventures, Inc., a tomato greenhouse and packing plant located in O’Neill, Nebraska, was sentenced on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 for their role in a conspiracy to harbor undocumented aliens with Juan Pablo Sanchez-Delgado.  Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard handed down the sentence.  The corporation was sentenced to a fine of $400,000 due immediately.  The maximum fine authorized by law for this offense is $500,000.  The ordered fine exceeded the recommended sentencing guidelines range of $70,000 to $140,000.  Chief Judge Gerrard found that the higher fine amount was warranted due to the conditions at the tomato plant for its workers.  In addition, the corporation must allow Homeland Security Investigations to conduct reviews and inspections of their labor practices and hiring processes during a probationary term as outlined in the agreement. 

On August 8, 2018, agents and officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant at O’Neill Ventures, Inc., and found that undocumented alien workers comprised approximately 70% of the company’s work force on that date.

This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Jordan Cook, age 32, of Boerne, Texas, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for violating the Lacey Act.  The Lacey Act prohibits the trafficking in interstate commerce "tainted" (i.e., taken in violation of a law or regulation) wildlife, fish, or indigenous plants. Cook admitted to six misdemeanor counts of the illegal taking of wildlife in interstate commerce and was sentenced by United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson to five years of probation.  Cook was ordered to pay a $50,000 fine and $39,150 in restitution. 

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 between May 2014 and May 2017, Cook was employed by Hidden Hills Outfitters (HHO), a commercial big game guiding and outfitting business located near Broken Bow, Nebraska, and provided hunting and guiding services to HHO clients.  The investigation determined that during a number of these hunts, Cook guided and assisted HHO clients in unlawful hunting activities which included hunting and taking white-tailed deer, mule deer, and wild turkey within baited areas, from a public roadway, at night, without a valid permit, in excess of the bag limit, and with prohibited weapons, all of which are in violation of Nebraska State law or regulation.

In April 2015, Cook guided a Virginia resident and HHO turkey hunting client whom Cook knew only possessed one spring turkey permit.  Cook aided and directed the client in unlawfully killing at least three turkeys, knowing that the client's permit authorized only one turkey.  During November 2015, Cook guided a New York resident and HHO white-tailed deer rifle hunting client. Cook, knowing and previously participating in HHO's unlawful establishment and use of numerous baited areas, guided, accompanied, and assisted the client taking a trophy-sized white-tailed deer from an elevated tree stand placed less than 50 yards from an HHO bait site located west of Brewster, Nebraska.  During December 2015, Cook guided an Indiana resident and HHO muzzleloader mule deer hunting client.  Cook guided and assisted the client unlawfully taking the mule deer with a shotgun, knowing the weapon was prohibited by Nebraska law during the muzzleloader season.  Each of the hunts involved wildlife taken and possessed in violation of Nebraska state law that was subsequently transported in interstate commerce from HHO to the clients' respective residence or elsewhere. 

In January 2017, Cook transported antlers and hides from two trophy-sized mule deer and one trophy-sized white-tailed deer in interstate commerce.  Cook, knowing the unlawful nature of the hunts, transported parts from deer taken during the 2016 season from HHO to a taxidermist located near Clifton, Colorado, on behalf of their respective owners, which included a 6 X 9 set of antlers scoring in excess of 200 inches originating from a mule deer taken unlawfully by an HHO owner without a permit, during night-time closed season hours, from the roadway, and with a suppressed rifle during archery season; a 5 X 6 set of 195-inch antlers originating from a mule deer taken unlawfully by another HHO guide without a permit and with a suppressed rifle during the muzzleloader season; and a 6 X 6 set of 180-inch antlers originating from a white-tailed deer taken unlawfully by an HHO client without a permit, during night-time closed season hours, from the roadway, and with a suppressed rifle during muzzleloader season.  Both mule deer taken unlawfully without permits by the HHO owner and guide were submitted to the Colorado taxidermist with hunting permits falsely representing them as being killed by other HHO clients in order to conceal the fact they were killed unlawfully without a permit.  In addition, Cook knew the 200-inch-plus set of mule deer antlers and a second trophy-sized mule deer were taken by the HHO owner who, after unlawfully killing the deer with a suppressed rifle and at night, severed the trophy heads/antlers, abandoned the headless deer carcasses at the kill site and intentionally failed to salvage any edible meat, and transported and concealed both sets of trophy heads/antlers at a remote wooded location near Brewster, Nebraska, referred to by HHO associates as "The Contraband Lot."  Cook was present and personally assisted an HHO owner guiding two HHO clients who unlawfully took a total of three white-tailed deer and two mule deer in three days, including the 180-inch white-tailed deer he transported to the Colorado taxidermist. 

Today’s sentencing is a continuation of the ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by owners, guides, and clients of Hidden Hills Outfitters.  To date, twenty-five defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced and ordered to pay a total of $240,548 in fines and restitution for underlying violations related to deer taken within baited areas; deer, pronghorn, and wild turkeys taken with weapons or firearms prohibited during their respective hunting seasons; deer taken during closed season hours, from the road, or without a valid permit; and mule deer taken within the Mule Deer Conservation Area.

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.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that William Wade, 21, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 22, 2020, to 120 months in prison by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system. Upon release from prison, Wade will serve five years of supervised release.

After getting out of prison in June of 2018, Wade began distributing dealer amounts of methamphetamine to a number of people in Lincoln over the course of the next year. At least six cooperating witnesses provided details about their having purchased or received methamphetamine from Wade in 2018 and 2019 in varying quantities.  On June 25, 2019, a confidential informant working with Lincoln Police investigators bought 51 grams of pure or actual methamphetamine from Wade.

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

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Lorenzo Cook, 36, of Macy, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 21, 2020 in federal court in Omaha for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. United States Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Cook to 36 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Cook will be on supervised release for 1 year.

In June 2019, officers with the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services responded to a call regarding a fight taking place outdoors in Macy, Nebraska. Upon arrival, officers located an unconscious male with injuries to his face and head. The male was taken to the hospital for treatment. A witness reported seeing Lorenzo Cook stomping on the victim’s face and head. Federal agents later learned the assault had been captured on surveillance video. The video recording showed Cook punch the victim once in the face, causing the victim to immediately fall to the ground, unconscious. Cook then continued to punch, kick, and stomp the victim in the head and face while the victim was unconscious.

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

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Dylan D. Dahlgren, 27, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today to 19 years and seven months in federal prison by Chief United States District John M. Gerrard for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Following the prison term, Dahlgren will serve five years on supervised release.

In August of 2019, narcotics investigators received information indicating that a package containing 10 pounds of methamphetamine was being sent to Dahlgren through the mail.  U.S. Postal Inspectors found a package addressed to the home of one of Dahlgren’s relatives in Lincoln and scheduled for delivery on August 15, 2019.  The package was mailed from California and was big enough to contain 10 pounds of methamphetamine.  The package was seized and searched.  It contained five packages of methamphetamine, containing at least 1,600 grams of methamphetamine actual.  On August 16, 2019, investigators made a controlled delivery of the package, containing one of the five packages of methamphetamine, to Dahlgren at the Lincoln residence of his relative.  Dahlgren was arrested.  The house was searched, and the package was found inside the residence.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Mylon Mayfield, 22, of Omaha, was sentenced today to 21 months in the Bureau of Prisons for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr.  He will also serve 3 years of supervised release following his release from prison.  There is no parole in the federal prison system.

On July 15, 2019, Omaha Police Officers responded within minutes to a report of shots fired in the Spencer West Housing Projects at North 28th and Spencer Streets.  The officers came upon suspects matching the description provided by dispatch.  Based on answers by Mayfield and his evasive movements, officers suspected Mayfield was armed and dangerous.  Upon their search, officers recovered a loaded Ruger LCR that Mayfield was concealing and possessing illegally as a prior felon.  At the time of his arrest, Mayfield was on federal supervised release for transferring a firearm to a prohibited person.  Mayfield was sentenced to an additional 12 months on his supervised release violation, resulting in a total sentence of 33 months on both cases. 

This case was part of a Project Safe Neighborhood initiative and investigated by the Omaha Police Department. 

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Gregory Hanssen, 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for Transportation of Child Pornography with a Prior Conviction. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Hanssen to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Hanssen will be on supervised release for 20 years and will be required to register as a sex offender.

In July 2019, the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force executed a search warrant at Hanssen’s residence after receiving a Cyber Tipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that a Google Photos user had uploaded apparent child pornography. Federal agents seized and searched Hanssen’s cell phone and tablet device and located more than 700 images of child pornography.

In 2006, Hanssen was convicted in separate cases of First Degree Sexual Abuse and Distribution, Possession, or Viewing of Child Pornography in the state of Arkansas.

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

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

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Misty Mecham, 31, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced May 18, 2020 to 60 months in prison by Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system. Upon her release from prison, she will serve four years of supervised release. 

On May 28, 2019, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on Mecham’s vehicle.  During the contact, she produced a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue from her pants pocket. The officer searched the passenger compartment of the vehicle and found a small plastic bag containing what appeared to be methamphetamine.  Inside a backpack, which was removed from the vehicle, were eight one-ounce plastic bags of methamphetamine. This same bag also contained a Heritage Rough Rider .22 revolver with ammunition. The total weight of the methamphetamine was about 267.4 grams.

This case was investigated by the North Platte Police Department and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Rodolfo Genchi-Villal today to a term of imprisonment of 46 months.  Genchi-Villal will serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his release from the Bureau of Prisons. There is no parole in the federal system.  Genchi-Villal will be deported from the United States to Mexico after serving his prison term.

Genchi-Villal, 36, was convicted of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine with Juan Aguilar-Pacheco and Luis Angel Lorenzo-Gallardo in the Omaha area between May 2, 2019, and August 6, 2019.  Genchi-Villal was arrested while he delivered approximately one pound of methamphetamine to a customer waiting in a parking lot.

On March 2, 2020, co-defendant Juan Aguilar-Pacheco was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 57 months and a 5-year term of supervised release. Aguilar-Pacheco will also be deported from the United States to Mexico after his prison term. The remaining defendant in the case, Luis Angel Lorenzo-Gallardo, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 1, 2020.

The case was primarily investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force. 

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that William Birdhead, age 42, was sentenced today to 132 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for Possession with Intent Distribute at least 50 grams of Methamphetamine (mixture) and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime. There is no parole in the federal system. Following his release from prison, Birdhead will serve 5 years of supervised release.

On May 24, 2019, officers with the Omaha Police Department made contact with Birdhead while he was in his vehicle in the area of 48th and Martha Streets in Omaha, Nebraska. Birdhead was in the driver’s seat and was reaching back into the trunk. When Birdhead saw the officers, it appeared like he shoved something between the driver’s seat and the console. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a loaded semiautomatic handgun between the driver’s seat and the center console. In the trunk of the vehicle, the officers located an AK47-style rifle, loaded magazine, two muzzle breaks, and ammunition. Both of these firearms had been reported stolen. Behind the vehicle’s license plate, the officers located 63.254 grams of methamphetamine salt with 55% purity. During a search of Birdhead’s residence, officer’s located another AK47-style rifle and a revolver. Birdhead has two prior convictions for felony firearms offenses and a prior felony conviction for a crime of violence.

Marino Vidoli, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Kansas City Field Division said, “This case is yet another example of how ATF’s seamless partnership with the Omaha Police Department continues to remove violent criminals and armed drug traffickers from the streets of our community.  This case, and cases like it, make our neighborhoods safer places to live and play and should serve as a reminder to would-be criminals that there will be consequences for their actions.”

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a national initiative of the Department of Justice that was announced in 2001 to reduce and prevent violent crime and make the nation’s neighborhoods safer.

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

 

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Timothy J. Kirsch, 36, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for Sexual Exploitation of Children. The Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Kirsch to 360 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Kirsch will be on supervised release for life and will be required to register as a sex offender.

In December 2018, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Omaha was contacted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement after a minor female’s mother reported concerning text messages on her daughter’s cell phone. Federal agents executed a search warrant to seize and search Kirsch’s cell phone and located text message conversations with the minor female in Florida as well as a second minor female in Wisconsin. HSI was able to determine that Kirsch first started speaking to the minors in online chat rooms and then began conversing with them via text message. In the text message conversations, Kirsch sent explicit photographs and videos of himself and requested explicit photographs of the minors. Kirsch also attempted to arrange for the minors to travel to Nebraska to have sex with him.

In March 2002, Kirsch was convicted of Lascivious Acts with a Child in Page County, Iowa. Kirsch also has three convictions for failing to register as a sex offender and was on supervised release in December 2018 when the conduct in this case occurred.

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 Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Robert Wilson, 35, of Omaha Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and use of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He received a total sentence of 62 months’ imprisonment. His term of incarceration will be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On March 23, 2019, Omaha Police Department Gang Unit officers initiated a traffic stop on Wilson. In his vehicle, officers found 1.3g of cocaine and 416g of marijuana packaged in 14 bags containing roughly 1oz each, an electronic scale, numerous plastic Ziploc bags, and $697 in United States Currency. Officers located a Taurus Millennium PT 111 G2 handgun under the driver’s seat.

This case was investigated by Omaha Police Gang Unit as part of the Project Safe Neighborhood, a commitment to prevent gun and gang crime in America.

U.S Attorney Joe Kelly announces a concerted effort to investigate and prosecute those who engage in predatory behavior in regard to housing-related sexual harassment. Such behavior is illegal under the Fair Housing Act.

As this country adopts drastic measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, many Americans have lost their jobs and many more have seen their wages reduced. These losses have forced many to seek delays or suspensions of their rent, with reports that nearly one-third of Americans were unable to pay their April rent at the beginning of the month.

The majority of landlords have responded to these circumstances with understanding and care, trying to work with their tenants to survive the current crisis. However, there have been reports of other landlords who have responded to requests to defer rent payments with demands for sexual favors and other acts of unwelcome sexual conduct. Such behavior is reprehensible. Unfortunately, many victims who experience this type of abuse never report it.  They fear retaliation will endanger their ability to provide shelter for themselves and their families. 

Joe Kelly stated, “These predatory practices related to COVID-19 are particularly disturbing as these landlords exploit this national crisis by sexually harassing people in need of housing.  We will not hesitate to intervene when this occurs. This is not tolerated in normal times, and certainly will not be tolerated now.”

We encourage anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing to contact the DOJ Sexual Harassment in Housing Hotline at (844) 380-6178, or by email to fairhousing@usdoj.gov,  Complaints can be mailed directly to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 1620 Dodge Street Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102, Attn Laurie Kelly, Civil Rights Coordinator.

Below are two links to DOJ & HUD produced PSAs for your consideration. These powerful PSAs feature personal victim impact stories and a call to action.

DOJ PSA: Sexual Harassment in Housing Is Illegal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z76bA-mf7o0&t

Working with DOJ to Stop Sexual Harassment in Housing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhskfe_7DHc

Fifty-two years after the passage of the Fair Housing Act, we have come a long way.  But we still have work to do.  Securing fair housing as part of the American way of life can be achieved when victims know it is safe to come forward, and perpetrators know we will aggressively address their despicable behavior.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Lamonte J. Bertucci, Sr., 53, of Macy, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for domestic assault. Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Bertucci to 12 months and 1 day of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Bertucci will serve a three-year term of supervised release.

In May 2019, officers with the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services contacted a woman who had just been released from the hospital after being treated for numerous injuries including an orbital fracture and a wrist fracture. The woman reported that Bertucci had punched her in the face during an argument while at someone else’s residence. The woman and Bertucci then left the residence. When they got to the stairwell leading to the woman’s apartment, the woman told Bertucci that he could not stay with her at the apartment. As the woman started down the stairs, she felt Bertucci push or kick her, causing her to fall down the stairs.

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

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Cecil Gunnels, Jr., 36, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on March 13, 2020 in Omaha by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for possession of child pornography.  Gunnels was sentenced to 97 months in prison to run concurrent to a 15- to 18-year prison sentence on a State attempted sexual assault on a child in the 1st degree. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, Gunnels will serve a five-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Gunnels was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Papillion Police Department after an allegation was made regarding Gunnels sexually assaulting a minor. That investigation lead to the search of his residence and the seizure of electronic devices, which were found to contain child pornography.

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

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

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Christopher Longo, 38, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Longo to 144 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Longo will serve a 10-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

In May 2018 officers with the Columbus Police Department received a Cyber Tipline Report stating that an IP address associated with a Columbus resident had uploaded child pornography to an online account. Officers executed a search warrant at Longo’s residence in November 2018. Longo initially admitted to downloading child pornography and later, after failing a polygraph examination, admitted to multiple instances of sexual contact with minors. Officers searched a computer and cell phone seized from Longo’s residence and located at least 682 images of child pornography on those devices.

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

This case was investigated by the Columbus Police Department.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Christopher E. Collins, 28, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today to 18 years in prison by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. following his convictions for robbery, brandishing a firearm, and discharging a firearm.  In addition to his prison term, he will serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Collins was also ordered to pay restitution of $280.00 to Buck’s Inc., $151.55 to Kwik Shop, and $1,000 to Phillip’s 66.

On January 1, 2019, at approximately 5:58 a.m., Collins and co-defendants, Marcus Evans and Ervin Smith, Jr., while wearing masks and gloves, robbed the Bucky’s at 2901 North 72nd Street, Omaha.  Smith brandished a gun but Collins and Evans knew it was there and being used.  Collins was shouting orders and ordered the employee to the ground.  They left the store with cash, cigarettes, and Nebraska lottery tickets.

On January 1, 2019, at approximately 6:16 a.m., Collins, Evans, and Smith went into the Kwik Shop at 5929 North 72nd Street.  A gun was threatened but never shown.  The clerk was ordered to lay on the ground.  They left the store with cigarettes, cigars, and Nebraska Lottery tickets.

On January 1, 2019, at approximately 6:31 a.m., Collins, Evans, and Smith robbed the Phillip’s 66 at 5920 Sorenson Parkway, Omaha.  Smith was carrying a firearm that Collins and Evans knew was there.  As they were entering the store, R.S. saw them enter with faces covered, laying a stick in the doorway, and had a hunch the store was going to be robbed.  He went to his car and retrieved a firearm, which he was licensed to carry, and re-entered the store.  He demanded Collins, Evans, and Smith not to move.  Smith passed Collins his gun and Collins fired several shots in the direction of R.S., before Collins, Evans, and Smith left the store taking store money with them. 

They were all caught within 24 hours.  Evans was recognized by a former school employee at a location Evans attended.  Smith was recognized by an Omaha Police Gang Unit officer.  The officer also located a 2013 Facebook picture showing Evans and Smith together. On January 2, 2019, a traffic stop was done of a vehicle Smith was driving. Collins was a passenger.  Collins had attempted to cash in one of the stolen lottery tickets and the clerk of that store recognized him and was able to identify him.  

Smith entered a guilty plea and is awaiting sentencing.  Evans is scheduled to enter a guilty plea in April.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Great Plains Violent Crime Task Force, comprised of FBI agents, Omaha Police Department detectives, Nebraska State Patrol Investigators and Papillion Police Department Detectives.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Luis Tobar, age 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced in federal court in Omaha for Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor. The Honorable Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Tobar to 120 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Tobar will begin a 5-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison. After completing his prison term, Tobar, a nation from El Salvador, will likely be deported.

On April 12, 2019, the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force (CEHTTF) was conducting an operation in Douglas County, Nebraska. As part of the operation, an undercover officer with the CEHTTF posted an advertisement on an escort website used to facilitate prostitution. Tobar responded to the advertisement and engaged in communications with an undercover officer who he believed to be a 15-year-old female. Believing that he was communicating with a 15-year-old female, Tobar requested that she send him nude pictures, agreed to pay her for sex, and traveled to an agreed upon location to meet her. Tobar was arrested by members of the CEHTTF and at the time of his arrest was found to be in possession of the cellular phone he used to communicate with the undercover officer, a large monetary sum, and alcohol.  Tobar was convicted after a jury trial.

U.S. Attorney Joe Kelly thanked the efforts of the FBI and the local law enforcement agencies who work diligently to stop human trafficking and especially those who specifically see to exploit minors.

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 FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln Police Department, Omaha Police Department, LaVista Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Council Bluffs Police Department, and the Sarpy Douglas County Law Enforcement Academy participated in the April 12, 2019 operation.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Phillip M. Brown, age 41, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced on March 12, 2020 to 77 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, following his guilty plea to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  There is no parole in the federal system.  The Honorable Richard G. Kopf, Senior United States District Court Judge, presided over the case.

On the night of December 13, 2018, a Grand Island resident reported to police that, upon returning from work, he found his home to have been burglarized.  The police were able to determine that at least fifteen firearms were stolen.  Those firearms included seven shotguns, four handguns, and four rifles.  The victim had inherited many of the firearms from his father. 

The investigation revealed that Phillip Brown and an accomplice, Edwin Starman, broke into the home in the middle of the night.  Brown had learned that a gun safe was kept in the home and he was provided with a key to the safe.  Brown and Starman broke into the home and then Brown used the key to open the safe.  The two burglars carried several firearms out of the residence and transported them to an apartment in Grand Island.  Once they arrived at the apartment, Brown began contacting various people to find buyers for the guns.  Brown further instructed Starman to return to the home to steal more firearms.  Starman and a third person, Chelsea Musquiz, returned to the home that same night and stole additional items, including more firearms.  The Grand Island Police Department was able to recover several of the stolen firearms.  Starman and Musquiz have both entered pleas to charges in the District Court of Hall County, Nebraska.

At Brown’s sentencing hearing, after hearing testimony from an investigator with the Grand Island Police Department who also works with the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force, Judge Kopf found that Brown should be held responsible for a total of fifteen firearms.  Brown was assessed enhancements under the Sentencing Guidelines due to factors including the number of firearms involved in the offense and the fact that the firearms were stolen.

This case was investigated by the Grand Island Police Department and the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Roque Gonzalez-Segura, 30, of Cozad, Nebraska, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for being an alien in possession of a firearm. There is no parole in the federal system.  In addition to his prison term, he will serve two years of supervised release following his release from prison. 

On November 15, 2018, Gonzalez-Segura went into the Cozad Police Department and told them that he was involved in a shooting in Lexington, Nebraska, a couple days prior.  The officer observed a bulge in the jacket pocket of Gonzalez-Segura.  A pat-down search was conducted and a 9mm handgun was found.  Gonzalez-Segura is an illegal alien and prohibited from possessing firearms.

This case was investigated by the Lexington Police Department, the Cozad Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, and Homeland Security Investigations.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Ashley A. Bartels, 22, of Beatrice, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Omaha by Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp to 7 years’ imprisonment after having entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After her release from prison, Bartels will serve a five-year term of supervised release.

Agents with the United States Marshals Service, Nebraska State Patrol, Gage County Sheriff’s Department, Beatrice Police Department and Lincoln Police Department were involved in investigating substantial methamphetamine activity in the Gage County area.  Their investigation led to a conspiracy involving Bartels, Candace Burr, and Charles Burr from November 2016 through September 2017.  In particular, Bartels was involved from approximately June of 2017 through September 2017 and was responsible for more than 80 ounces of methamphetamine being distributed in the area. 

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Jason David Oetter, age 48, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Oetter to 130 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Oetter will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On April 29, 2019, officers with the Omaha Police Department observed Oetter sitting on a motorcycle.  Officers were aware that Oetter had an active warrant and attempted to make contact. Oetter tried to flee on the motorcycle but wiped out.  Oetter was taken into custody and had 93.6 grams of pure methamphetamine in his possession.   

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Jenna Lynn Martinez, 34, of Denver, Colorado, was sentenced today to 84 months in prison by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine (actual). There is no parole in the federal system. Upon her release from prison, Martinez will serve four years of supervised release.  She will also forfeit $16,747.00 in U.S. currency.

On July 16, 2019, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop in Dawson County, Nebraska, in which Martinez and Jesus Noel Garfio, also of Denver, Colorado, were found in possession of 26 grams actual methamphetamine, 53 grams of heroin and $16,747 in U.S. currency.  Garfio has entered a plea of guilty and is scheduled for sentencing in April.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Lyle Rowse, 37, of Burwell, Nebraska, was sentenced today to 55 months in prison by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine (actual). There is no parole in the federal system. In addition to his prison term, Rowse will serve four years of supervised release following his release from prison. 

On November 4, 2018, Rowse went to the Valley County Jail and dropped off body wash for an inmate.  Inside the body wash container was 1.3 grams of methamphetamine.  Law enforcement in Burwell went to arrest Rowse for this and located 26 grams of actual methamphetamine in his pocket.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol, Valley County Sheriff’s Office, and Burwell Police Department.