District of Nebraska

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

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

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Gabriel Ramirez, 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced December 8, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr., sentenced Ramirez to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ramirez’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Ramirez also gave up any right or claim he may have had in $9,140 in currency seized during the investigation.

On March 18, 2022, law enforcement conducted a controlled narcotics buy from Ramirez utilizing a confidential informant who purchased 217 grams of meth from Ramirez in the Omaha area.

On April 14, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Ramirez’s South Omaha residence and vehicle and seized 3271 grams of meth, 21 grams of cocaine, and US Currency. During a post-Miranda interview, Ramirez admitted to being a drug courier for the Sinaloa Cartel and had been receiving and selling meth for the Cartel since approximately September of 2021. Ramirez estimated that over the past he had picked up and sold between 300 and 400 pounds of meth for the Cartel.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jerry W. Lackey, 36, of York, Nebraska,  was sentenced December 7, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for receipt, distribution and possession of child pornography. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Lackey to a total of 64 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Lackey’s release from prison, he will begin a 7-year term of supervised release.

In December of 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported a CyberTip to the Nebraska State Patrol that an individual was sending child pornography to others. The report included the email address, username, and IP address associated with the offending account, as well as several offending videos.

Investigators obtained subpoenas and were able to identify the subscriber as Lackey.  A search warrant for the residence was obtained and executed. In executing the warrant, officers made contact with Lackey at the residence. In an interview with investigators, Lackey admitted to downloading and viewing the child pornography.   

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

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kevin Radik, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced December 7, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for desertion of mail. United States Magistrate Judge Michael Nelson sentenced Radik to one year of probation.

Radik had been employed as a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service in Gretna, Nebraska, since 2009. In 2023, the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General began investigating after receiving reports of Radik not delivering the weekly ads and newspapers to an apartment complex along his route. Investigators observed Radik on video removing a postal bin from a postal vehicle and placing it in the back of his personal vehicle. Radik was found with twenty pieces of mail in his personal vehicle. Radik admitted that since December 2022 or January 2023, he had not been delivering bulk business mail to the apartment complex and would instead throw the mail away in a dumpster. Radik indicated that he had intended to throw away the mail found in his vehicle at his home. Radik advised that not delivering the bulk mail saved him five minutes on his route.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Oscar Villa, 37, from California, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for his involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Villa to 240 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. 

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

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

Madrid has pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing on January 3, 2024.

This case was investigated by the DEA, FBI, and the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Clyde Lamar Pace, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 1, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for a firearms conspiracy and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Pace to 90 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Pace’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

A drug trafficking investigation in the Omaha area revealed Pace was using social media to communicate the sale of controlled substances and firearms between January 2021 and April 2022. Pace used his social media account to make arrangements to sell controlled substances and weapons to other account users.  Pace also posted photos of firearms and controlled substances from within his residence on his social media account. On May 2, 2022, law enforcement searched Pace’s Omaha residence and seized a weapon and a pound of marijuana.

Co-defendant Braniff was sentenced on October 27, 2023, to 21 months’ imprisonment for drug user in possession of a firearm.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Mark P. Nielson, 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 1, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Nielson to 130 months’ imprisonment for the drug distribution and a consecutive 60-month term for the firearm possession. There is no parole in the federal system. After Nielson’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release. Additionally, Nielson forfeited $1,914 of U.S. currency to the United States.

On July 17, 2022, Omaha police officers saw a 2002 Dodge Stratus parked at the gas pumps of Casey’s located at 3435 S. 42nd Street, Omaha.  Officers saw the driver of the car, later identified as the Nielson, asleep in the driver’s seat.  Containers of alcohol were seen inside the car as well as a handgun on the floorboard behind the driver’s seat. 

The firearm behind the driver’s seat was a Sig Sauer P320 9mm handgun.  DNA testing showed that Nielson’s DNA was on the firearm.  Officers also located 83 grams methamphetamine, $1,914.00, and an additional handgun magazine next to the Sig Sauer in the car. 

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Scott Lee Meyer, 34, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 1, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for conspiracy to produce child pornography and production of child pornography. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Meyer to 624 months’ imprisonment. Meyer will then serve the remainder of his life on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.  Meyer was additionally ordered to pay $11,250 in restitution as well as a $9,000 special assessment which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of crimes.

This case initiated in July of 2022 with an investigation by the FBI in an attempt to identify children in a series of child pornography images which were being shared online. Through the investigation it was determined that the files were associated with Scott Meyer and Scott Simmons. Simmons was previously sentenced to 60 years in prison on July 6, 2023, regarding the same case.

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

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

Meyer was previously convicted in 2013, for two counts of sexual assault of a child in the 1st degree in Hall County District Court, Nebraska. Meyer and Simmons met while both were serving sentences for child-sex offenses in Nebraska. Meyer and Simmons distributed the images and videos they produced of the victims in this case on the Tor network using encrypted forms of email to further hide their identities. They additionally directly shared the files they created with at least one acquaintance they made while serving their prior sentences.

Following today’s sentencing, Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr expressed “The sentencing today of Scott Meyer and the July Sentencing of Scott Simmons reflect the seriousness of the crimes these men jointly committed. Their actions were reprehensible, unspeakable, and carefully planned for their own gratification without regard for the lives they were affecting. The sentences imposed although significant do not erase the impact their conduct will have on the children and their families for years to come.”

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Christopher P. Twohig, 45, of Cozad, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 1, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more methamphetamine (actual) and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Twohig to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Twohig’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On March 22, 2023, officers in Cozad, Nebraska, attempted to arrest Twohig on a state arrest warrant.  Twohig was located and apprehended in a parking lot at a convenience store.  Approximately 47 grams of meth was found in Twohig’s coat, along with multiple empty baggies.  A firearm was also found in his vehicle with over 100 rounds of ammunition.  The suspected meth was sent to the lab, and the lab determined that there was about 45.24 grams of meth, of which at least 41 grams was actual meth.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Miguel Avalos-Diaz, 26, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced November 30, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for four drug trafficking charges, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Avalos-Diaz to 260 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Avalos-Diaz’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

In August, a jury convicted Avalos-Diaz of conspiracy to distribute meth and cocaine and found him not guilty of a gun charge. The day before trial, Avalos-Diaz pleaded guilty to three charges, including two counts of distribution of a controlled substance and one charge of possession with intent to distribute meth.

Omaha police received information from a cooperator that Avalos-Diaz was distributing meth and cocaine. Police used the cooperator to make three “controlled buys” from Avalos-Diaz in February and March of 2022. All three times, the cooperator bought meth from Avalos-Diaz. During the third drug deal, Avalos-Diaz also “fronted,” i.e. provided on credit, one ounce of cocaine.

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

Avalos-Diaz’s advisory sentence under the United States Sentencing Commission guidelines was increased because he maintained a premise for the purpose of manufacturing or distributing a controlled substance and possessed a weapon in connection with a drug offense.

A total of $36,598 in cash has been forfeited to the United States as proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.

Perez, 27, of Omaha is scheduled to be sentenced on January 24, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

A Nebraska attorney was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for filing false individual income tax returns.

Thomas Campbell, of Bennington, pleaded guilty on July 27 to one count of filing a false tax return.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2014 and 2018, Campbell, a licensed attorney since 2011, was the owner and manager of TLN Law, a solo-practice law firm in Omaha. Campbell controlled the law firm’s finances and was aware of substantial amounts of cash payments his firm received for legal services. For 2014 through 2018, Campbell did not report over $2.8 million in cash his firm received, which flowed through to, and should have been reported on, his personal tax returns. In total, Campbell caused a tax loss to the IRS exceeding $400,000.

In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Brian C. Buescher ordered Campbell to serve one year of supervised release and to pay $407,665 in restitution to the United States.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Susan T. Lehr for the District of Nebraska made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Mahana Weidler of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Ferretti for the District of Nebraska prosecuted the case.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Thomas Campbell, 41, of Bennington, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 30, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for filing a false individual income tax return. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Campbell to 12 months’ and one day imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Campbell’s release from prison, he will begin a 1-year term of supervised release. Campbell was also ordered to pay $407,665 in restitution to the United States.  

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2014 and 2018, Campbell, a licensed attorney since 2011, was the owner and manager of TLN Law, a solo-practice law firm in Omaha. Campbell controlled the law firm’s finances and was aware of substantial amounts of cash payments his firm received for legal services. For 2014 through 2018, Campbell did not report over $2.8 million in cash his firm received, which flowed through to, and should have been reported on, his personal tax returns. In total, Campbell caused a tax loss to the IRS exceeding $400,000.

“IRS Criminal Investigation takes violations of our tax laws very seriously,” said IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Special Agent in Charge Thomas F. Murdock. “It’s important for all taxpayers to have confidence that the tax system is fair, and all are paying their share.”

In praising the work IRS Criminal Investigation did on this case and the sentence imposed, Acting U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr stated, “This case ends years of investigation and goes to show that no one, regardless of their position or status, is above the law. Millions of Americans every year pay their taxes in accordance with the law. Mr. Campbell was not immune from that obligation.”

Trial Attorney Mahana Weidler of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Ferretti for the District of Nebraska prosecuted the case.

This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Alan Walker, 41, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 30, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for abusive sexual contact with a minor and for failing to register as a sex offender. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Walker to 108 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Walker’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

In September 2022, Walker entered a family residence and groped an 11-year-old child’s buttocks as the child slept. The child woke up to Walker’s inappropriate touching and reported his conduct to a trusted adult, who notified law enforcement.

In 2012, Walker was convicted in the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, for Sexual Assault of a Child in the 3rd Degree, requiring him to register as a sex offender. Beginning in September 2022, Walker failed to update his registered address as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Amy Shepherd, age 44, of Wichita, Kansas, was sentenced on November 30, 2023, in federal Court in Omaha, Nebraska, for wire fraud. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Shepherd to 18 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Shepherd’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Shepherd was also ordered to pay $112,257.80 in restitution.

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

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

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

On September 19, 2023, Bradford pled guilty to one count of wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 14, 2023, at 1:30.  

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Adam E. Schenkelberg, 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 29, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for receipt and distribution of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Schenkelberg to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Schenkelberg will begin a 5-year term of supervised and will be required to register as a sex offender. Schenkeberg was also ordered to pay special assessments in the amounts of $7,500 and $5,000 pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Victim Assistance Act of 2018, and the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, respectively. 

On May 5, the Nebraska Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) concerning the upload of child pornography on Kik, an online file sharing service. The CyberTipline reports indicated that the user of a specific internet protocol (IP) address uploaded fourteen image and video files depicting child pornography between March 19, 2022, and March 23, 2022. Nebraska ICAC investigators received another CyberTipline report on August 25, 2022, noting the upload of four image and video files depicting child pornography from Kik on June 29, 2022. Investigators determined that the same suspect IP was assigned to Schenkelberg’s residential address in Sarpy County, Nebraska.

On November 3, 2022, investigators executed a warrant to search Schenkelberg’s home. Investigators seized several of Schenkelberg's electronic devices for forensic examination. On December 26, 2022, pursuant to a search warrant, Apple Inc. provided data from Schenkelberg’s Apple iCloud account. Investigators examined the Apple iCloud data and forensically examined the devices seized from his residence. From the iCloud account and the accessible electronic devices, investigators located additional images of child pornography, some involving toddlers. Schenkelberg’s cache of child pornography consisted of over 600 images.

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

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol’s ICAC Task Force.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Mar D. Maluoth, 25, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced November 29, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, for the illegal possession of a machine gun.  United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Maluoth to 70 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After Maluoth’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.  Maluoth was found guilty by a jury on July 20, 2023, after a three-day trial.   

On September 23, 2022, Omaha police were conducting surveillance in the area of 30th and Manderson Street in Omaha, watching a house in search of a wanted escapee. Officers surveilling the house observed an unknown male walk from the back of the residence into the alleyway carrying what the officers believed to be a rifle.  The male entered a black Kia Optima that was observed leaving the area from the alleyway.

Officers left the surveillance location and began following the black Kia Optima (‘Kia’) as it traveled westbound near 45th and Lake Streets. Officers conducted a traffic stop when the Kia failed to stop at a stop sign.  Maluoth, who was the front seat passenger, began leaning forward in his seat as if concealing something when officers first approached the vehicle.  Officers later observed what appeared to be marijuana ‘shake’ in the car and an open container of alcohol.

Due to Maluoth’s furtive behavior and continuous failure to follow officer commands, he was ordered out of the car.  Once removed from the vehicle, Maluoth was detained in handcuffs and frisked for weapons.  Officers then searched under Maluoth’s seat and found a Glock 23, .40 caliber handgun with a ‘Glock switch,’ allowing the firearm to function as a machinegun.  When taken into evidence, the gun was found to have a round in its chamber and a partially loaded, extended high-capacity magazine. 

Omaha police tested the firearms functionality in a controlled setting at the forensics unit and determined the firearm operated as a machinegun.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Nathan Joseph Bonacci, age 21, of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 29, 2023, in federal Court in Omaha, Nebraska, for impeding or interfering with a federal officer. United States Magistrate Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Bonacci to 6 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bonacci’s release from prison, he will begin a 1-year term of supervised release.

On February 10, 2022, Bonacci posted to the Discord app “I have an rpk chambered in 7.62 a 556 Ak74 and 2m1911s.  This Monday 2/14/22 I will drive my car (filled with 5k worth of amo) to Roosevelt Elementary School in Council Bluffs, IA (517 N 17th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501) and I will kill as many people as I can find at 09:00 (9 am) @ everyone I will drive my blue Nissan Ultima (plate number [redacted] (nebraska plates))”. 

A user on the iFunny app came across the post and forwarded it via email to the principal of Roosevelt Elementary School, who then advised law enforcement. The FBI assigned a Special Agent to investigate the potential threat. The FBI investigation included obtaining emergency disclosures from Yahoo! and Twitter, which lead to identifying the IP address used to post the threat was maintained by Cox Communications. Additional investigation revealed the Cox Communications subscriber was Bonacci’s brother. The FBI Special Agent interviewed Bonacci’s brother, who recognized the username used to post the threat was Bonacci’s. Bonacci was subsequently located and interviewed.

Bonacci acknowledged he transmitted the communication but indicated he posted it to a group of his friends because he thought his friends would find it to be funny.  

Bonacci’s false threat impeded the assigned Special Agent from accomplishing his other assigned duties and interfered with his ability to work on legitimate investigations due to a need to determine if this was a valid threat to an elementary school.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Shawn Thomas, 34, of Roseville, California, was sentenced on November 29, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Thomas to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Thomas’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release.

Thomas was identified as being involved in drug distribution as a result of an ongoing investigation into Thomas’ co-conspirators. From approximately October 2018 to December 2020, conspirators regularly shipped multi-pound boxes of marijuana from the Sacramento, California, area to Omaha, where other conspirators would distribute it. These shipments were made via the United States mail and commercial shipping services like FedEx. A 22.5-pound box of marijuana was seized from an Omaha residence on December 18, 2020. Thomas was in the residence at the time of the search with three co-defendants.

Review of FedEx shipping records and conspirators’ cell phone messages determined that Thomas was responsible for mailing the packages. At the sentencing hearing, Judge Buescher found that Thomas was responsible for conspiring to distribute at least 100 kilograms (220.4 pounds) of marijuana.

The three other co-defendants were sentenced earlier this year. Aarion Jenkins, 29, and Marques Eiland, 29, both of Omaha were sentenced to 40 months and 31 months respectively. Julio Ayala, 33, of Sacramento was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Omaha Police Department, and Sacramento County (California) Sheriff’s Office.

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

transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Carlos Martinez Desmoineaux, 47, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 21, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to launder money. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Desmoineaux to time served, approximately 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Desmoineaux will also serve a 2-year term of supervised release.

In 2009, Desmoineaux agreed with a confederate to use Desmoineaux’s bank account in Trinidad and Tobago to launder proceeds from marijuana sales. Wire transfers totaling $77,700 were sent to Desmoineaux’s bank account from locations in the United States, and an additional $10,800 cash was transported by the confederate to Trinidad and Tobago and deposited into the account. All the funds were generated from the sale of marijuana. Desmoineaux sent $88,500 by wire transfer to an airplane seller in Oklahoma to help finance the purchase of an airplane that the confederate planned to use and later did use to transport marijuana. Desmoineaux surrendered to authorities in Colombia in 2022 and was extradited to the United States in 2023. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS Criminal Investigations.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Wesley T. Vavra, 51, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 21, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Vavra was convicted of the charge by a jury on August 23, 2023. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Vavra to 235 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Vavra’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.

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

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that William Lamb, 55, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 20, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for escape from custody. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Lamb to 2 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Lamb’s release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.

On August 2, 2004, Lamb was sentenced for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  On August 27, 2022, Lamb was transferred to Dismas Charities in Omaha, Nebraska, a Residential Reentry Center, to complete his sentence.  On June 16, 2023, RRC staff conducted a routine vehicle search of Lamb’s vehicle and discovered what appeared to be a white, crystalline substance consistent with meth.  Upon questioning of the substance by RRC staff, Lamb exited the facility, entered his vehicle, and drove off the property without authorization.  He did not return to the RRC and was later arrested in Oklahoma.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Santiago Montes-Osorio, 30, a Mexican citizen most recently living in Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 21, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States Chief District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Montes-Osorio to 114 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Montes-Osorio’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On July 21, 2022, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Montes-Osorio’s vehicle in Omaha and found approximately 872 grams of meth. A search of Montes-Osorio’s residence in Omaha uncovered approximately 2,437 grams of meth and $19,451 cash. A search of a storage unit in Council Bluffs, Iowa, that Montes-Osorio had access to uncovered another 21.9 kilograms of meth.

The $19,451 cash was forfeited as proceeds of illegal narcotics sales.

This case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Omaha Police Department, the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department, and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Juanita Gibson, age 38, originally of Hillsboro, Kansas, was sentenced on November 21, 2023, in federal Court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to assault a witness and attempted assault of a witness. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter sentenced Gibson to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Gibson’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

In the fall of 2021, Johnny Dolph (hereinafter “Dolph”) was being investigated by the United States Secret Service for financial crimes to include crimes involving counterfeit currency and checks. Dolph claims to be a “shot caller” in the Irish Mob Gang, a street gang that originated in Oklahoma. In September 2021, Victim 1’s husband was arrested in Nebraska for forgery counts. Victim 1’s husband was coming to Nebraska to assist Dolph in his forgery activities. Following Victim 1’s husband’s arrest, Dolph and Jennifer Norwood A/K/A Jennifer Dolph (hereinafter “Norwood”) began contacting Victim 1 in attempts to prevent her from cooperating with law enforcement. Dolph believed Victim 1 and Victim 1’s husband were cooperating with law enforcement. As a result, Dolph put a “green light” on Victim 1 and her husband.

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

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

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

Dolph and Norwood let Gibson and Ruth stay at their apartment in Omaha. While there, Dolph, Norwood, Gibson, and Ruth researched Victim 1.

On September 2, 2022, Gibson was interviewed by the United States Secret Service and admitted to coming to Nebraska with Ruth at Dolph’s request. Gibson admitted that the purpose of the trip was to find a female that Dolph was looking for.

The individual from Kansas was sentenced in 2022 to time-served after serving a nine-month sentence for possession of counterfeit currency and possession of a document making implement or authentication feature and is currently serving a five-year term of supervised release. On August 17, 2023, Dolph was sentenced to a total of 150 months’ imprisonment for felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm following a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; 2 counts of false statement during the purchase of a firearm; conspiracy to tamper with documents or proceedings; tampering with documents or proceedings; 2 counts of conspiracy to assault a witness; and 2 counts for attempted assault of a witness.  On November 14, 2023, Norwood pleaded guilty to making false statements during the purchase of a firearm, conspiracy to destroy evidence, and conspiracy to assault a witness. Ruth is currently pending trial and are presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Danelle Charf, 49, of Neligh, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 20, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for making a false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement in connection with health care services. Chief Judge Robert F. Rossiter sentenced Charf to two months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Charf’s release from prison, she will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Charf was also ordered to pay $573,337.53 in restitution to Medicare and Medicaid.

Charf previously owned Wanek Pharmacy in Neligh, Nebraska, and Tilden Pharmacy in Tilden, Nebraska. Agents began investigating in the fall of 2020 after receiving a tip. Several current and former employees were interviewed by investigators. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who worked at the Wanek and/or Tilden Pharmacies reported that Charf was responsible for adjusting orders from suppliers so that brands were commonly unavailable. The witnesses corroborated the complainant’s report that the pharmacies were billing for name brand while dispensing generic medications. Employees also reported that Charf was submitting claims for prescriptions where the pharmacy anticipated that the prescription would not be filled by the customer and had not, in fact, been filled.

Investigators then chose some beneficiaries at random to interview and located beneficiaries who had been prescribed a name brand medication but were dispensed a generic. Investigators were able to photograph the medications with name brand prescription labels placed on generic medications.

An invoice review was done, comparing all of the claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid by Wanek and Tilden Pharmacies to how much of the same drugs were ordered by the pharmacies during the same time period. Even excluding claims to private insurance companies, the reconciliation showed that Wanek did not have adequate purchases to support their claims for 1,032 of the 3,676 drugs reviewed, resulting in a loss of $369,837.38. Tilden did not have adequate purchases to support their claims for 612 of 1737 drugs reviewed, resulting in a loss of $203,500.15.

This case was investigated by the HHS Office of Inspector General and Nebraska Attorney General Office.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Rockie Dubray, 35, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced November 20, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln for stealing a Post Office mailbox key and theft of mail. United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Dubray to five years of probation.

Between March and September 2022, the United States Postal Inspection Service received numerous complaints from customers not receiving packages supposed to be delivered to lockers in several USPS locations in Lincoln. On August 3, 2022, the Post Office received similar complaints from customers not receiving their packages at the College View Station branch in Lincoln, Nebraska. Investigators installed a surveillance camera in the lobby.

On August 8, 2022, packages were stolen from the parcel locker at College View Station.  Surveillance video from the night before captured a white female using a master key to open mail lockers and take packages. The female had a large, distinctive tattoo on her right leg.

On September 3, 2022, video surveillance captured the same white female using a master key to access the lockers, but on this occasion, she was unable to remove the key from the lock. The female was still able to open the locker, however, and she stole packages.  

Still photos from the video surveillance were processed using facial recognition technology.  Rockie Dubray was identified as the female in the surveillance videos.  On September 27, 2022, Dubray was interviewed by a United States Postal Inspector and admitted to stealing packages from the parcel lockers on a couple occasions using a master key given to her. She admitted that she still had the contents of one of the stolen packages at her home.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service. 

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jesse Cervantes, Jr., 52, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 20, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Cervantes to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Cervantes’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

In March and May of 2022, an undercover investigator made a total of eight purchases of meth, totaling approximately nine ounces, from Cervantes in Lincoln.  On May 19, 2022, investigators served a search warrant on Cervantes’s Lincoln residence and vehicle.  In the vehicle, they found two bags of meth weighing a total of just under one pound.  One of the two bags, weighing 224 grams, was tested by the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory for purity, and was found to be 100% pure.

Cervantes agreed to talk to law enforcement officers and said he obtained about 100 pounds of meth from a source in Omaha in about March of 2022.  He got five pounds from a second source in Omaha.  He said he had about five customers who were buying pound or multiple-pound quantities of meth.  He also sold smaller amounts to a few people.  Cervantes said the meth found in his vehicle belonged to him.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jonathan Beale, 23, of Lexington, Nebraska, was sentenced November 20, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The Honorable John M. Gerrard, Senior United States District Judge, sentenced Beale to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Beale’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

Operating from at least June 2021 until October 2022, Beale and others were responsible for trafficking in meth brought into the state. Officers from a variety of local, state, and federal agencies pieced the conspiracy together using eyewitness information, electronic evidence, surveillance, and search warrants.

On February 23, 2022, officers obtained a search warrant for Beale’s residence in Lexington. Located in the search was another co-defendant, who appeared to be living in Beale’s basement. In addition, the search located nearly eleven ounces of meth, items consistent with narcotic packaging, and over two thousand dollars. Searches at additional locations in the Lexington area netted additional meth and currency from other co-defendants. 

This case was investigated by the CODE Drug Task Force, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol,   the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that David Snow, 39, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 16, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm. United States District Court Chief Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Snow to 37 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Snow’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On January 19, 2021, Snow was at a residence on the Winnebago Indian Reservation with the victim and another witness. Snow and the victim got into a verbal altercation, which escalated to a physical assault when Snow picked up an aluminum bat and struck the victim in the head with the bat. Snow fled the residence. The victim suffered an external headwound as well as a subarachnoid hemorrhage and was hospitalized as a result of the assault.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Teresa Martinez, 47, a Mexican citizen recently living in the Fresno, California area, was sentenced on November 15, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Martinez to 87 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Martinez’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

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

Flores has pleaded guilty to the same charge and is scheduled for sentencing on January 3, 2024.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Chol Magwit, 21, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 15, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for interference with security screening personnel. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Magwit to 15 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Magwit will be required to complete a 3-year term of supervised release.

On April 7, 2023, Magwit forced open two separate doors to restricted areas and made it onto the tarmac at Eppley Airfield. Magwit was tackled when he refused commands to stop his movement and before he made it to the active operating area. Magwit was then arrested. Magwit did not appear impaired and said he wanted to go to Egypt. During the arrest, Magwit assaulted an airport officer who had security duties within the airport, and bit the officer’s hand, penetrating the officer’s skin and causing him to require medical treatment. The assault interfered with the performance of the airport officer’s duties while undergoing treatment for his injuries.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kyrell Wells, 21, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced November 14, 20223 in federal court in Omaha for felon in possession of a firearm.  Chief United State District Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr. sentenced Wells to 70 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Wells is released from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On August 11, 2022, Omaha Police Department gang officers observed Kyrell Wells enter Phillips 66 on 59th and Sorensen Parkway.  Officers were aware he had several warrants.  Officers entered the gas station and ordered Wells to put his hands up.  Wells initially complied but then attempted to run.  Officers took Wells to the ground and a handgun fell from Wells’ waistband, down his sweatpants, to his ankle.  The gun was loaded with one in the chamber.  The firearm was a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson.  Wells is a convicted felon from a tampering with witness charge in November of 2021.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

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Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Domingo Zetino Hernandez, 21, of Guatemala, was sentenced on November 14, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson sentenced Zetino Hernandez to time served. Zetino Hernandez has been in custody since March 20, 2023. Zetino Hernandez is subject to removal proceedings with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

On or about February 28, 2023, law enforcement received a report of a suspicious vehicle located at the Wood Duck Wildlife Management Area, located in Stanton County, Nebraska. Law enforcement arrived at Wood Duck and approached the vehicle with Ramiro Hernandez Tziquin and Zetino Hernandez as the occupants.  During the encounter, Zetino Hernandez admitted that he shot a bird and that it was in the trunk of the vehicle.  Law enforcement obtained consent to search the vehicle and found one bald eagle carcass.  Zetino Hernandez admitted to taking and possessing the bald eagle found in the trunk of the vehicle without being permitted to do so.

Co-defendant Hernandez Tziquin remains at large. Hernandez-Tziquin, who was living in Norfolk, Nebraska, at the time of the incident, is believed to have fled the local area around the time his arrest warrant was issued, and to date has not been located. Hernandez-Tziquin may currently be living with family or associates in Nebraska, Texas, or elsewhere.  The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking information regarding the current location of Hernandez-Tziquin. There may be a reward available for information leading to an arrest by calling 1-844-FWS-TIPS (1-844-397-8477) or online at  https://www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips.  Callers may remain anonymous. 

This case was investigated by United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, Nebraska Games and Parks Commission, and the Stanton County Sheriff’s Office.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Terrell C. Bass, 40, of Bellevue, Nebraska, was sentenced November 15, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Bass to 108 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bass’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. Bass also gave up any right or claim he may have had in over $61,000 in currency seized during the investigation.

On February 18, 2022, Douglas County deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of 18th and Vinton Street, Omaha, Nebraska, on a vehicle driven by Bass who deputies knew had a suspended driver’s license. Bass’s identity was confirmed, and a front seat passenger was identified as codefendant, Holly Fleming.  A drug detecting canine was deployed and indicated to the odor of narcotics coming from within the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed approximately 10.5 pounds of meth in two bags, one found on the passenger floor containing items indicating the bag belonged to Fleming, the other found on the back seat.

That same day a search warrant was authorized for Bass and Fleming's North Omaha residence and served by FBI and OPD. The search of the residence revealed 16 pounds of meth, two firearms, and over $61,000 in cash.  During a post arrest interview Fleming admitted to her involvement in drug dealing and claimed all the evidentiary items were hers.

Cell phone search warrants were obtained for phones found during the search and revealed a video showing Bass assisting Fleming in removing a gas tank from a vehicle and removing packages of methamphetamine from within. Texts messages found in the phones revealed Bass was assisting Fleming with drug trafficking. A jail phone call between Bass and Fleming was discovered where Bass acknowledged that he assisted Fleming with drug dealing.

Holly Fleming has pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in connection with drug distribution and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 16, 2023.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Donald R. Hamilton, 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 8, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for receipt and distribution of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Hamilton to 140 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Hamilton will begin a 5-year term of supervised and will be required to register as a sex offender.

On several dates beginning in March 2021 and ending on August 29, 2021, an investigator with the Nebraska State Patrol was conducting an online investigation on a peer-to-peer file sharing network. The investigator identified a specific residential internet protocol (IP) address associated with unique file identifiers from known images of child pornography. The investigator was able to make a direct connection to the suspect’s IP address and was able to download files containing child pornography using investigative software. Further investigation revealed Hamilton was the suspect.

On September 28, 2021, the Nebraska State Patrol executed a search warrant at Hamilton’s residence on Read Street in Omaha.  During the forensic examination of Hamilton’s residence, the Nebraska State Patrol located evidence of the specific peer-to-peer client software on Hamilton’s device.

The files downloaded between March 27, 2021, and August 29, 2021, totaled 670 images and 25 videos. These 695 files included depictions of child pornography containing prepubescent children, adults having sex with children, and children being bound with ligatures.

Hamilton had been on pretrial release pending sentencing, but it was revoked on October 27, 2023, when the Court learned that Hamilton had attended a birthday party in the company of children in violation of his conditions of pretrial release. Hamilton failed to report the contact.

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.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Nolan Balfour, 34, of Nehawka, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 8, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for bank fraud. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Balfour to 30 days’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Balfour’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. As part of his sentence, Balfour was ordered to pay $500,205.93 in restitution to First Nebraska Bank.

On March 4, 2013, Balfour and his wife signed a Promissory Note with First Nebraska Bank for the amount of $1,160,000. The note was a 5-year commitment and was renewable annually. On March 11, 2016, this note was modified. The purpose of this note was to finance Balfour’s farming operations in the Nehawka, Nebraska area. In 2014, Balfour began having shortfalls and was having trouble with his loan. On January 10, 2017, Balfour submitted a financial statement to First Nebraska Bank for Fiscal Year 2016. In this financial statement, Balfour overstated his assets, specifically, the amount of corn and soybean that had been harvested and the heads of livestock that he had on hand. Balfour signed this balance sheet stating that it was true and correct when he knew that the information contained in this financial statement was not true and correct. Balfour knew that this financial statement was going to be relied upon by First Nebraska Bank in deciding whether or not to renew his loan. In 2018, Balfour filed for bankruptcy and, during the bankruptcy proceedings, admitted that this financial statement was false and that he knew it would be relied upon by First Nebraska Bank. First Nebraska Bank suffered an economic loss as a result of Balfour’s misrepresentations. First Nebraska Bank’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Armando Ibarra, 50, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced November 6, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Ibarra to 156 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ibarra’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

Between August of 2019 and May of 2021, Ibarra reached an agreement with others to distribute meth in Hastings, Nebraska. Ibarra sold meth to confidential informants and police found meth at his residence and in his car during several traffic stops.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Rosa Valtierra, 31, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced November 6, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for distribution of methamphetamine.  Senior U.S. District Judge Gerrard sentenced Valtierra to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Valtierra’s release from prison, she will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.

In February 2021, agents purchased meth from Valtierra through a confidential informant.  The informant purchased the meth outside an apartment complex in Lexington, Nebraska.  At the apartment complex, Valtierra got out of a vehicle, approached the informant’s vehicle, and provided the meth.  The buy was audio recorded by law enforcement.  The meth was lab tested and confirmed to be approximately 25 grams of a meth mix. 

In March 2021, agents again purchased meth from Valtierra through the informant.  This occurred in Lexington, Nebraska.  Valtierra got into the informant’s vehicle and provided the drugs.  The drugs were lab tested and there was at least 23 grams of actual meth.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Jeremy A. Kinney, 49, of Campbell was sentenced November 6, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Kinney to 156 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge and a consecutive 60 months’ imprisonment on the firearm charge, for a total sentence of 216 months. There is no parole in the federal system. Additionally, Kinney was ordered to forfeit $5,000 cash that was seized in the investigation.  After Kinney’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

Investigators obtained a court-authorized tracking device on Kinney’s 2014 Nissan Maxima. Based on information from the tracker, visual surveillance, and analysis of phone records and jail calls, investigators obtained a search warrant for Kinney’s car. On May 26, Kinney’s Maxima was tracked while traveling from Colorado and heading northeast on Interstate 76. A Nebraska State Patrol trooper noticed the car heading eastbound in Furnas County, Nebraska, and attempted a traffic stop. Kinney, who was driving at the time, sped up which prompted a pursuit by law enforcement.

During the pursuit, Kinney drove eastbound in westbound traffic lanes, at times passing westbound traffic on the shoulder. Investigators used spike strips to stop Kinney’s car. Kinney continued to pass vehicles while driving on the shoulder of oncoming traffic lanes. A tactical vehicle intervention team was able to direct the Maxima into a ditch. During the pursuit, Kinney threw objects from the Maxima. Investigators returned to the areas where Kinney was seen tossing items and located a baggie containing approximately 0.6 pounds of suspected meth.  Investigators found $5,000 cash bundled on the front passenger seat and a 9 mm handgun on the ground near where the Maxima had stopped.

Investigators returned to the roadway where the first bag of drugs was found and located an additional bag containing 1.2 pounds and third bag containing 1.3 pounds of meth. The drugs were sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crim Laboratory where a forensic scientist confirmed the presence of meth.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Javier De Leon Marin, 32, of Monterrey, Mexico, was sentenced on November 3, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for his involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy.  Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr. sentenced Barajas to 108 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.  De Leon Marin also agreed to the forfeiture of $169,283 that was seized as part of the investigation.

On April 11, 2022, an undercover (UC) Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration contacted a Mexican-based source of supply about purchasing four ounces of meth that could be delivered to the UC in Omaha.  Arrangements were made, and later that day Gerson Ortega-Corado arrived and exchanged $1,000 for four ounces of meth.

On May 18, 2022, the UC again contacted the Mexican-based source of supply and made arrangements for a one-pound delivery of meth.  Later that day, the UC met with De Leon Marin and exchanged $3,700 for 418 grams of pure meth.  Following the controlled buy, De Leon Marin was followed around to various locations.  One of the locations that De Leon Marin visited was an apartment in the area of 10th and Bancroft in Omaha.  He was also followed to several storage units.

On June 16, 2022, the DEA executed search warrants at the 10th and Bancroft apartment and the storage units. At the 10th and Bancroft location, 26.3 kilograms of pure meth and $160,000 were seized.  At the storage units, agents seized $31,562, $2,303, and $6,980.

Oretga-Corado was sentenced on August 15, 2023, to 168 months’ imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the DEA, FBI, and the Omaha Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Daniel A. Christianson, 39, formerly of Bennington, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 3, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for distributing child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Christianson to 96 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Christianson will begin a five-year term of supervised release. Christianson was ordered to pay a special assessment totaling $1,100.

In 2021, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover investigation regarding the use of peer-to-peer file sharing of child pornography on the internet.  During the investigation, investigators identified an IP address associated with Christianson that had shared video files of child pornography using peer-to-peer computer software between June 20 and June 21, 2021.  Investigators determined the IP address associated with Christianson had shared child pornography videos on at least two occasions.  On October 28, 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at Christianson’s Bennington residence, during which he admitted to downloading and viewing child pornography.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Richard C. Detty, 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 1, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Detty to 15 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Detty’s release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.

At about 9:30 pm on October 23, 2021, Detty was outside his workplace in Omaha when he aimed a laser pointer at a helicopter flying overhead. It was the Omaha Police Department helicopter, which was on patrol at the time. The beam illuminated the helicopter’s cockpit. The pilot was startled but maintained level flight, and neither the pilot nor the observer in the helicopter were injured.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Rafael Hernandez, 30, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 1, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Hernandez to 140 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hernandez’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On August 27, 2022, a Platte County Sheriff's Deputy saw a vehicle driving southbound on Highway 81 in Platte County Nebraska with a defective headlight. A traffic stop was initiated and while the deputy spoke to the driver, he detected the odor of burnt marijuana and conducted a search of the vehicle. Prior to the search, the passenger was identified as Rafael Hernandez and registered owner of the vehicle.

As the search moved to the trunk, Hernandez stated that the vehicle was his, everything in it was his, and that the driver had no knowledge of it. It was at this time that a drawstring backpack was located in the trunk containing 1.14 kilograms of meth.

Both the driver and Hernandez were transported to the Platte County Detention Facility where Hernandez said the driver had nothing to do with the drugs and that Hernandez didn't want to get him in trouble. The driver was not charged.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that George Liakos, 64, of Gering, Nebraska, was sentenced on October 27, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for Bank Fraud. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Liakos to 36 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Liakos’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. As part of his sentence, Liakos was ordered to pay $5,059,035.43 in restitution to First Interstate Bank.

Great Western Bank, which was subsequently acquired by First Interstate Bank, was a banking corporation with locations in Iowa, Colorado, South Dakota, and Nebraska, including a banking office in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Great Western Bank’s deposits were insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Liakos conducted a farming operation in Bayard, Nebraska, primarily growing beans, corn and sugar beets as well as raising cattle for sale.

Beginning in April 2017 and continuing through May 2019, Liakos misrepresented the amount of commodities he had in storage, cattle inventory, and acreage of crops and concealed his debt from Great Western Bank in order to secure approximately $11 million in loans.

As a part of his scheme to obtain money from Great Western Bank, on June 2, 2017, Liakos executed Loans and a Security Agreement with Great Western Bank. The loans and security agreement consisted of a revolving line of credit, machinery and equipment loan and a livestock loan. In approving the Loans and Security Agreement, Great Western Bank relied upon information provided by Liakos reflecting current commodity and livestock inventory, accounts receivable, loans, and accounts payable which he knew materially overstated his commodity inventory and materially understated and failed to report loans and accounts payable. As part of this agreement, Liakos granted Great Western Bank a security interest in assets and farm products as collateral for the loan. As a result of the Liakos’s scheme and artifice to defraud, Great Western Bank sustained a financial loss of $3,940,007.80.

After the sentencing, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “George Liakos’ crime may not have been violent, but there were real victims.  His years of lies and falsifying documents led to a local bank’s loss of more than seven million dollars.  Today’s sentence illustrates the FBI’s mission to investigate complex fraud cases and bring to justice those who enrich themselves at the expense of others by breaking the law.”

Matthew T. Wilkins, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General said “I want to thank the US Attorney’s Office, OIG special agents, and our investigative partners for their hard work on this investigation.  When the integrity of the United States Department of Agriculture’s farm loan programs is violated by criminal conduct, the Office of Inspector General will pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law.”

Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr stated, “Today’s sentencing is the product of nearly four years of investigating and prosecuting Liakos for making material misrepresentations to the Commodity Credit Corporation and Great Western Bank to obtain significant lines of credit. His misrepresentations and actions resulted in millions of dollars in loss being sustained by Great Western Bank. Today’s result reflects our office’s commitment to work with our federal partners such as the FBI and USDA-OIG to bring white collar criminals to justice.”

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Baldemar Rodriguez Baldwin, 47, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced in Omaha on October 27, 2023, in federal court for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine (actual). Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr. sentenced Baldwin to 147 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Baldwin’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On August 25, 2021, law enforcement utilized a cooperating witness who purchased 104 grams of actual methamphetamine from Baldwin inside of his Omaha apartment.

On September 2, 2021, law enforcement along with Baldemar’s Probation Officer contacted Baldemar at his Omaha apartment to conduct a probation search. Baldemar was advised of his rights and the reason for the search. Baldemar admitted to purchasing a ½ pound of methamphetamine approximately one month prior and selling it to make some quick money. When told that no meth was found during the search, Baldemar said he must have gotten rid of it. The search did reveal a drug scale with residue that Baldemar said would be dirty as he had used it. At the time he sold the meth to the cooperating witness, Baldemar was on supervised release for a 2012 drug conviction in which he was sentenced to more than 10 years’ imprisonment.

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