District of Nebraska
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Transporting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that James Long, 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for transporting child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Long to 10 years of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Long will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Long was also ordered to pay $102,000 in restitution to the victims.
On December 14, 2015, Long uploaded child pornography from his online DropBox account to his Google account. On March 6, 2018, Long uploaded child pornography to Google Photos. On July 25, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Long’s Omaha residence. Long admitted to possessing and downloading child pornography. Agents located approximately 41,000 images and 11,000 videos of child pornography on his devices.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Doniphan Woman Sentenced for Possession of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Tess Kleinknecht, 31, of Doniphan, Nebraska, was sentenced today to 77 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard. Following her release from prison, Kleinknecht will serve four years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On July 30, 2020, law enforcement officers went to a Grand Island residence to arrest a person federally indicted on methamphetamine conspiracy charges. While there, investigators found Kleinknecht inside the residence, and obtained a search warrant for the residence. Investigators found three bags of methamphetamine along with cutting agent and distribution paraphernalia in Kleinknecht’s belongings. A lab analyst found there to be more than 5 grams of actual or pure methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force, which is made up of officers from the Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff, Hastings Police Department, Adams County Sheriff, Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced the Dustin M. Frank, 40, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possession of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Frank to 36 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Frank will being a five-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. Chief Judge Rossiter also ordered Frank to pay $6,000 in restitution.
In August of 2019, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force received information from a third party that child pornography was found on a computer the third party had previously loaned to Frank. On November 22, 2019, the FBI executed a federal search warrant of Frank’s Omaha residence and seized numerous digital devices. A search of those digital devices located 128 unique images of minors under the age of 12 years old engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the images showed toddlers and infants being sexually abused.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Fentanyl Resulting in OverdosesRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Brandon Terrell Davis, 39, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 25 years in federal prison for two counts of distribution of cocaine and fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury. Davis was sentenced to 300 months on both counts, and those sentences were ordered to be served concurrently (at the same time). Following his release from prison, Davis will serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On August 13, 2021, Lincoln Police Department (LPD) officers were dispatched to the parking lot of a Lincoln bar on a report of two individuals suffering suspected drug overdoses. LPD officers performed cardio-pulmonary respiration (CPR) on both victims until Lincoln Fire & Rescue (LFR) arrived. One of the two victims revived after being given Narcan and said he had used cocaine with the other victim in the other victim’s truck in the parking lot. The second victim was intubated and placed on a heart and lung machine for a time at a Lincoln hospital. The second victim told investigators he purchased what he believed to be one gram of cocaine from Davis. Drug paraphernalia and residue found in the victim’s truck were tested and found to contain cocaine and fentanyl.
On August 16, 2021, LPD responded to a Lincoln residence on a report of multiple possible drug overdoses. When they arrived, officers found two individuals who were not breathing and required CPR. A third victim left the residence prior to officers arriving but was found unconscious on a bench in the area shortly thereafter. The fourth victim began to show signs of an overdose after officers arrived. Narcan was administered to the victims, and they were taken to Lincoln hospitals. During a search of the residence, officers found drug paraphernalia with residue which was later tested and found to contain cocaine and fentanyl. Two of the victims told investigators they had purchased what they believed to be one gram of cocaine from Davis prior to these overdoses.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Daniel William Zeiger, 47, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 22, 2022, to 10 years’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine after a prior conviction for a serious felony drug offense, by Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon. Following his release from prison, Zeiger will serve eight years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On October 25, 2020, Zeiger was stopped for driving with a suspended license in Lincoln. He told officers he had “dope and weed” in the car and on his person. Small amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana were found on Zeiger’s person. A search of the car resulted in the finding of 144 grams of methamphetamine mixture, a baggie containing marijuana and a scale. Zeiger admitted ownership of the drugs and the drug-related items. Text messages found in Zeiger’s phone indicated he was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine.
In 2007, Zeiger was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, a serious drug felony offense, in the District of Nebraska.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.
Hastings Woman Sentenced for Possessing Methamphetamine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Vallen Bateman, 36, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 24, 2022, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Bateman to 66 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, she will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
On September 28, 2020, law enforcement was serving a federal arrest warrant for John Wizinsky at a residence in Grand Island, following his indictment for distributing methamphetamine. Wizinsky was arrested and Bateman was also present. Bateman had an active warrant out of Howard County and was arrested. She admitted to having marijuana in her nearby backpack. A search of her backpack revealed 80 grams of methamphetamine, a scale, and 13 grams of marijuana.
Wizinsky was sentenced on July 23, 2021, to 262 months’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Grand Island Police Department and the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Thomas E. Carodine, 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for three counts of distributing fentanyl. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Carodine to 38 months’ imprisonment. Following his release from prison, Carodine will begin a 6-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
Carodine is a gang member and convicted felon who distributed large amounts of fentanyl pills. On February 4, 2020, a confidential informant (CI) met Carodine in the street just outside a local Apple Store in Omaha. The CI entered Carodine’s vehicle and purchased 49 fentanyl pills for $900.
On February 10, 2020, the CI met Carodine in a local Scheels store parking lot. Carodine entered the CI’s vehicle and sold 125 fentanyl pills for $2,260.
On February 22, 2020, the CI met Carodine in the parking lot of Lakeside Hospital. Carodine entered the CI’s vehicle and sold more than 400 fentanyl pills for $9,000.
At the time of these offenses, Carodine was on federal supervised release stemming from a 2010 conviction for conspiracy to distribute 1000 kilograms or more of marijuana. His supervision was revoked following his arrest in the immediate case. Chief Judge Rossiter sentenced Carodine to an additional 12 months’ imprisonment to be served consecutive to the 38-month sentence for the fentanyl convictions, resulting in a total sentence of 50 months’ incarceration.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Omaha Police Department.
Omaha Woman Sentenced to 70 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Tressa Thompson, 46, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 16, 2022, by United States Judge John M. Gerrard for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. Thompson received a sentence of 70 months’ imprisonment with a five-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system. Thompson also forfeited any interest in $2,810 that was seized during her arrest.
On December 17, 2020, officers with the Omaha Police Department had contact with Thompson and a co-defendant while they were parked on the street. The co-defendant attempted to run and discarded a pound of methamphetamine. Thompson remained in the passenger seat with a Tupperware container containing more methamphetamine. Altogether, 640 grams of pure methamphetamine was seized along with $2,810 that was found in the vehicle. Phone records showed that the co-defendant was providing methamphetamine to Thompson, who later resold it.
The co-defendant is set for trial in federal court on August 22, 2022, before United States Judge John M. Gerrard.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office.
Omaha Woman Sentenced for Role in Forged Stimulus Check ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jessica A. Lovering, 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to a sentence of time served for Conspiracy to Pass and Utter Forged United States Treasury Checks and two counts of Passing and Uttering Forged United States Treasury Checks. Lovering has served 3 months and 11 days’ incarceration. There is no parole in the federal system. Upon her release, Lovering will serve a 3-year term of Supervised Release. Lovering was also ordered to pay $1,400 in restitution.
On March 26, 2021, Lovering went to the EZ Money Check Cashing location at 5102 L St. in Omaha and presented a forged United States Treasury stimulus check in the amount of $1,400 and was able to cash the check. A white powdery substance was used to obscure the original payee name and “Jessica Lovering” had been placed on the check as the payee. This United States Treasury Check was originally made payable to an individual who is an inmate in the United States Bureau of Prisons.
On April 26, 2021, Lovering went to the EZ Money Check Cashing location at 5102 L St. in Omaha and presented a forged United States Treasury stimulus check in the amount of $1,400. The check had originally been made payable to an inmate of the Nebraska Department of Corrections. A white powdery substance was again used to obscure the original payee name and “Jessica Lovering” had been placed on the check as the payee. The EZ Money employees recognized the check as being altered and denied payment.
Lovering received these checks from Courtney Clark. Text message and Facebook Messenger conversations between Clark and Lovering were obtained via search warrants. In these conversations, Clark and Lovering discuss the manufacturing and alteration of checks. Clark and Lovering discuss Lovering cashing a check at the EZ Money near 50th and L Streets. Clark and Lovering discussed Clark getting checks back from Lovering and their splitting the proceeds.
Clark pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Pass and Utter Forged United States Treasury Checks and two counts of Passing and Uttering Forged United States Treasury Checks on May 18, 2022. Clark’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 18, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Omaha Police Department.
Mexican Man Sentenced to 90 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Luis Lopez, 39, of Jalisco, Mexico, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Lopez received a 90-month term of imprisonment followed by a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Lopez also forfeited any interest in $89,930 that was seized during his arrest. Lopez will be deported after serving his sentence.
In April of 2021, the DEA and Omaha Police Department were investigating a co-conspirator of Lopez for distributing methamphetamine. Lopez and the co-conspirator sold and distributed one pound of methamphetamine in an undercover operation conducted by law enforcement on April 11, 2022. Lopez drove the co-conspirator to the drug sale in a Ford Flex. On April 14, 2022, officers observed the same Ford Flex being driven by Lopez with the co-conspirator as a passenger. During a traffic stop of the vehicle, officers found a large amount of U.S. Currency. A search warrant was executed on Lopez’s residence and more U.S. Currency was seized along with ledgers tracking narcotic sales. Overall, $89,930 was seized.
This case was investigated by the DEA and Omaha Police Department.
Elkhorn Woman Sentenced to Five Years for EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Kimberley Kaye Brummett, 59, of Elkhorn, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a five-year term of imprisonment following her conviction for two counts of wire fraud. After she completes her prison sentence, Brummett will serve three years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
Brummett was a financial controller for Taste Traditions, a manufacturer of food products for organizations such as schools and for retail. Taste Traditions was acquired by Wald Family Foods in 2012. Both before and after it was acquired by Wald Family Foods, Brummett worked out of a Taste Traditions plant in Omaha, Nebraska. Wald Family Foods is owned by TOBA, Inc., a company headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska. After the acquisition, Brummett’s new role entailed her working as the controller for three manufacturing facilities owned by Wald Family Foods, including the Taste Traditions facility located in Omaha. Brummett continued working for Taste Traditions until October 10, 2019, when her position was absorbed by TOBA, Inc.
Both before and after the acquisition, Brummett was engaged in a scheme to defraud Taste Traditions. GIX Logistics, Inc. is a business located in Grand Island that coordinates trucking services for companies. They provided services to TOBA, Inc. and Taste Traditions. Brummett was not associated with and has not worked for GIX Logistics, Inc. Brummett opened an account with Centris Federal Credit Union in Omaha under her name and doing business as “GIX Logistics,” but omitted the “Inc.” that is used by the real “GIX Logistics.” In the forms Brummett completed when she opened the account, the business was listed as a sole proprietorship owned by Brummett. Taste Traditions and Wald Family Foods did not enter into any contract to obtain products or services from the GIX Logistics entity created by Brummett and none were provided. Between 2013 and 2019, Brummett submitted numerous false invoices under the “GIX Logistics” name. Taste Traditions would then issue checks to pay the phony invoices and Brummett deposited those checks into the fake GIX Logistics account she created. Between 2013 and the end of her employment in 2019, Taste Traditions paid out a total of $1,666,128.13 to Brummett’s fictitious company. As part of her sentence, Judge Gerrard also ordered Brummett to pay restitution in that amount.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Gerrard discussed how Congress and the United States Sentencing Commission have expressed a clear intent to punish white-collar offenders with prison sentences.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Grand Jury - June 2022Read the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 14 unsealed Indictments charging 15 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.
* Abas Yassin Ali, age 19, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Counts I through III charge Ali with bank fraud beginning on or about January 1, 2021 and continuing through May 25, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment for each charge.
* Miguel Avalos-Diaz, age 25, and Jose S. Perez, age 26, are charged in a five-count Indictment. Count I charges Avalos-Diaz and Perez with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about December 10, 2021 and continuing to on or about March 30, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to a life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Avalos-Diaz with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about February 3, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to a life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Avalos-Diaz with distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine on or about March 22, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Avalos-Diaz and Perez with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about March 30, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count V charges Avalos-Diaz and Perez with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about March 30, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ imprisonment and up to a life consecutive to Count IV, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about March 30, 2022.
* Edwin Baez, age 28, of Omaha, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I charges Baez with distribution of cocaine on or about March 22, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, not less than three years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Baez with distribution of cocaine on or about April 27, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, not less than three years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Baez with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine on or about May 26, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than a four-year and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Baez with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about May 26, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to life imprisonment consecutive to Count I, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about May 26, 2022.
* Olegario Bernabe-Ortiz, age 49, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about June 7, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jeffrey Bowlin, age 53, of Papillion, Nebraska, is charged in an eight-count Indictment. Counts I through VIII charge Bowlin with theft of mail beginning on or about April 24, 2022 and continuing through on or about May 21, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment for each charge.
* Joshua David Charter, age 44, is charged with escape from custody on or about May 21, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment for each charge.
* Donnale C. Clay, age 39, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges Clay with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about April 27, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to a life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, not less than ten-years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Clay with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl on or about April 27, 2022. The maximum penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $2,000,000 fine, not less than six years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Clay with felon in possession of a firearm on or about April 27, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Catarino Gonzalez, age 50, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after a felony on or about May 17, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Demetrius Jones Spence, age 53, is charged with bank robbery on or about July 11, 2018. The penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
* Jeremy A. Kinney, age 48, of Campbell, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges Kinney with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about May 26, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to a life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Kinney with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about May 26, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to life imprisonment consecutive to Count I, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Kinney with felon in possession of a firearm on or about May 26, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about May 26, 2022.
* Marcio Remberto Padilla Villatoro, age 24, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about May 18, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* David Mark Platt a/k/a Mark Platt, age 56, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Platt with transporting a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity on or about May 14, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years’ and up to life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Platt with committing a sex offense while on the sex offender registry on or about May 14, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment consecutive, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Rascon-Escobar, age 36, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after a felony on or about May 25, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Delmer Sanchez Zuniga, age 41, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after a felony on or about June 8, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Tekamah Man Sentenced to 96 Months on Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Tanner Joel Leichleiter, 32, of Tekamah, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for being a drug user and addict in possession of 10 firearms, to include an assault rifle. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Leichleiter to 96 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Leichleiter will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
Leichleiter previously pleaded guilty to being a drug user in possession of firearms on August 23, 2021.
On April 20, 2020, Leichleiter’s co-defendant, Nora Gilda Guevara-Triana, requested that Leichleiter take her two grandchildren, ages 4 and 7, without car seats or shoes from Tekamah to Kansas to teach their mother a lesson. Leichleiter loaded the children into the vehicle, along with marijuana, a pit bull, and 10 firearms that were scattered throughout the vehicle. Drugs and guns were within reach of the children throughout the interstate trip. An Amber Alert was issued and Leichleiter was located with the children after a farmer in the area recognized Leichleiter and his vehicle from the alert. Guevara-Triana was found guilty by a jury of the kidnapping and previously received a sentence of 100 months in federal prison on February 23, 2022.
At his sentencing hearing, Leichleiter disputed that the circumstances of his firearm possession amounted to child abuse for a sentence enhancement, but the United States District Judge disagreed and found that Leichleiter had “no regard” for the children’s safety and that his case was an extreme example of illegal firearms possession.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Tekamah Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff, and Wichita Police Department.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 97 Months for Drug Trafficking and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Larry Brye, 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court, in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and hydrocodone, and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Brye to 97 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Brye will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
Between May and August of 2020, law enforcement conducted five controlled buys from Brye in which he collectively sold fentanyl, marijuana, and methamphetamine. On August 19, 2020, officers executed a search warrant at Brye’s Omaha residence and located cocaine, hydrocodone, alprazolam, tramadol, marijuana, heroin, fentanyl mix, and a cutting agent. Officers also located two handguns. Brye was not permitted to possess firearms because of a 2018 federal felony conviction for being a user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm. Brye also has convictions for theft, possession of marijuana, carrying a concealed weapon, and assault and battery.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jason L. Bates, 51, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher to 84 months’ imprisonment for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and 37 months for Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of a Firearm. These sentences are to be served concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release, Bates will serve a 5-year term of supervised release.
On April 6, 2020, Bates was contacted by deputies of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in connection with an ongoing investigation. The sheriff deputies located a Smith & Wesson Body Guard .38 caliber revolver in a backpack on the rear floor board behind the passenger seat. At the time of his possession of the Smith & Wesson revolver on April 6, 2020, Bates was an unlawful user of a controlled substance, specifically, methamphetamine. For the Smith & Wesson to have been found in Nebraska on April 6, 2020, it would have had to been transported in interstate commerce.
On July 18, 2020, officers with the Omaha Police Department located Bates at the Hawthorne Suites in Omaha in room 333. There was an active arrest warrant for Bates. Officers located Bates in his rented room and arrested him on his warrant. In the room, officers located suspected methamphetamine, clear plastic baggies, and two scales. Bates admitted to being a methamphetamine user. Bates also admitted to selling methamphetamine to his friends. The suspected methamphetamine was submitted to the Nebraska Public Service Laboratory and found to be 5.92 grams of methamphetamine (actual).
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Minnesota Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Ismael Y. Toovi, 22, of South Cambridge, Minnesota, was sentenced today to 10 years for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl mixture by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard. Following his release from prison, Toovi will serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On June 18, 2021, Toovi was a passenger in an SUV, driven by his co-defendant Payton Sausen, which sideswiped a semi-trailer truck on eastbound I-80 in Lancaster County. Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department deputies suspected Sausen was under the influence of a controlled substance after her breath test was negative for alcohol. She denied consent to search but agreed to let a K9 do a sniff. The dog indicated on the SUV which was then searched. Officers found a cardboard box in the backseat area containing a total of more than 4,600 small blue pills with markings consistent with those for oxycodone. Additional pills were found scattered around inside the SUV. Testing at the Nebraska Public Service Laboratory showed the pills contained fentanyl and weighed a total of 480 grams (approximately 17 ounces). Text messages found in Toovi’s cell phone and calls made by Toovi and Sausen from the Lancaster County Jail indicated Toovi and Sausen traveled to California to pick up the pills which Toovi intended to sell in Minnesota.
Sausen pleaded guilty to the same charge in April and is scheduled for sentencing on July 15, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Roger Alan Vaughn, 46, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today to 15 years’ imprisonment following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), cocaine and marijuana after a prior conviction for a serious felony drug offense, by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard. Vaughn also received a sentence of 90 months for felon in possession of a firearm. That sentence was ordered to be served concurrent to the sentence for the drug offense. Following his release from prison, Vaughn will serve concurrent supervised release terms of 10 years on the drug offense and three years on the gun charge. There is no parole in the federal system.
On November 1, 2020, a search warrant was executed at Vaughn’s Lincoln residence. During the search, investigators found at least 150 grams (over five ounces) of methamphetamine actual, just under one ounce of cocaine and four pounds of marijuana. They also found a total of nine firearms; consisting of four shotguns, two rifles and three pistols.
In 2004, Vaughn was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, a serious drug felony offense, in the District of Nebraska.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 131 Months for Methamphetamine, Firearm and ThreatRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Dustin T. Baker, 27, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distribution of methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and willfully making a threat involving explosives materials. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Baker to imprisonment for a term of 71 months, to be followed by a mandatory consecutive 60-month term of imprisonment resulting from his conviction for the firearms offense. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
Baker placed an explosive device on the hood of a Chevy Tahoe that belonged his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend (victim). Baker called the victim approximately 11 times between 1:22 a.m. and 4:28 a.m. during the early hours of August 26, 2021. During the calls, Baker threatened the victim and threatened to blow up his car.
On the morning of August 27, 2021, investigators located Baker outside of his residence on Ruggles Street in Omaha. Two other persons were also present at the residence. Baker consented to a search of his house and investigators found methamphetamine, a gun, and ammunition. The gun was later determined to have been stolen. Baker admitted he had a firearm in his house and admitted to placing the device on the Tahoe. Police arrested Baker.
A quantity of methamphetamine was recovered from Baker’s bedroom and from one of the two additional persons present at Baker’s house when investigators arrived on August 27, 2021. That person told investigators that she purchased the methamphetamine on her person from Baker when she arrived at his residence a few hours earlier. She further stated on August 26, 2021, she and another party gave Baker a ride, dropping him off at a specific location (near the victim’s residence) and picked him up two hours later when he messaged her to park at “something and Elm”. She said she felt the concussion from a loud explosion at that location and that when Baker returned, he commented, “That’s what happens when you don’t pay me my money or mess with me.”
On August 30, 2021, after Baker was arrested, he made a jail call to his mother and told her the police didn’t find all of the devices he used at the victim’s residence. Baker asked his mother to tell another party to retrieve it from his sock drawer. Investigators were able to obtain a search warrant and seized the second device.
This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
28-Year-Old Sentenced on Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Daniel Rojas, 28, was sentenced on June 2, 2022, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, as an addict in possession of a firearm and for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Rojas to 87 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On July 3, 2020, law enforcement received information that drugs were being sold out of the Aksarben Suites located on Cedar Street in Omaha. While conducting surveillance, officers observed a Mercedes leave the parking lot of the Aksarben Suites and commit a traffic violation. During a traffic stop, officers observed Rojas leaning forward in an awkward position. A K-9 alerted to the scent of drugs on the passenger side front window of the car.
Upon searching the car and a black bag located under the front passenger seat, officers found a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson SD40 firearm and approximately 1 gram of methamphetamine. At the time Rojas possessed the firearm he was a drug user.
On November 16, 2020, Rojas was arrested on federal charges stemming from the possession of the Smith and Wesson firearm on July 3, 2020. At the time of his arrest, Rojas admitted to possessing methamphetamine in a white Buick parked nearby. Over 100 grams of methamphetamine were recovered from Rojas’s car.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, Omaha Field Division. This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Mexican Man Sentenced to 120 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Irving Cervantes Rodriguez, 27, of Mexico, was sentenced today by United States Judge Brian C. Buescher for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. Cervantes received a sentence of 120 months’ imprisonment with a five-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.
In July 2019, investigators with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension began investigating Cervantes Rodriguez as a supplier/go-between for the distribution of methamphetamine. Cervantes was convicted in 2017 for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was serving a sentence in a Nebraska prison. Investigators were aware that Cervantes was communicating via smuggled phones, and a BCA undercover agent was introduced to Cervantes. The undercover agent spoke to Cervantes over the phone and as a result, two transactions were arranged. The first occurred on July 18, 2019, and the second occurred on August 7, 2019. In total, the undercover agent was able to purchase 1.73 kilograms of pure methamphetamine through deals arranged by Cervantes.
This case was investigated by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Steven A. Russell to be New Acting U.S. AttorneyRead the Press Release
Career prosecutor Steven A. Russell has been named the Acting United States Attorney to take over following the retirement of Interim United States Attorney Jan W. Sharp. Russell’s appointment will be effective on May 28, 2022.
Russell, a 1982 graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law, has been with the United States Attorney’s Office since 1985. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Russell worked in private practice and as a Deputy Hall County Attorney. Russell is originally from Richmond, Indiana. During his tenure with the Department of Justice, Russell has handled a wide variety of cases, both civil and criminal, and currently serves as the District of Nebraska’s First Assistant United States Attorney. Russell will serve until a new U.S. Attorney is appointed by the President.
Omaha Man Sentenced to More Than 8 Years for Methamphetamine and a Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Brandon Morrison, 39, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Morrison to a total of 97 months’ imprisonment with the firearm charge carrying a consecutive 60-month sentence. After completing his term of imprisonment, Morrison will be required to serve a 3-year term of supervised release as there is no parole in the federal system.
On January 29, 2020, Morrison was stopped by Omaha Police after he was seen driving a car with no license plates. As officers approached Morrison’s car, they detected the odor of marijuana. Morrison was asked to exit the car and officers began searching, finding a firearm in the trunk. Morrison then fled from the scene. Morrison was caught. A search of the trunk revealed approximately 13 grams of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Omaha Man Sentenced in Methamphetamine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Michael Allison, 52, was sentenced on May 26, 2022, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Allison to 168 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.
Omaha Police Department (OPD) officers acted upon information about Allison’s codefendant, Gregory Neemann. On March 13, 2020, OPD officers stopped Neeman’s car in anticipation of serving a search warrant at his residence in Omaha. When he was stopped, Neemann was in possession of methamphetamine and $2,363 in drug proceeds. Neeman’s residence was then searched.
Using information developed during the investigation of Neemann, officers began to focus on Allison. Allison was arrested after delivering 2 pounds of methamphetamine to a cooperating individual. A search of Allison’s residence yielded 28 additional ounces of methamphetamine (approximately 793 grams) and $54,327.00. All of the cash seized was forfeited as drug proceeds.
Neeman was sentenced on March 11, 2022, to 180 months’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Phillip D. Gonzales, 33, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 25, 2022, by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher to 180 months’ imprisonment. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. Gonzales pled guilty in February 2022 to producing child pornography.
In about September 2020, a 16-year-old female who had run from home met Gonzales and his co-defendant in Omaha. Gonzales and the minor developed a relationship. The minor also engaged in prostitution. Gonzales took a series of photographs and videos of the minor female depicting, among other things, the minor female performing oral sex and posing lasciviously. The images were recovered after the Omaha Police Department conducted a traffic stop of Gonzales and the minor female and learned she was being trafficked.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Omaha Police Department.
Omaha Man – Repeat Offender – Sentenced to 135 Months for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Patrick D.J. Nicks, 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distribution and possession of child pornography. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Nicks to imprisonment for 135 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Nicks will begin a 15-year term of supervised release. Nicks must also pay $23,000 in restitution to victims of child pornography offenses.
In November of 2018, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into Nicks after receiving 15 CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The CyberTips indicated that a user had been uploading images of child pornography using Microsoft Skype. Acting on the information contained within the CyberTips, investigators were able to determine that Nicks was the probable suspect. On July 9, 2020, officers executed a warrant to search Nicks’s Omaha residence and obtained Nicks’s electronic devices.
A forensic examiner completed a review of the data contained on each of the digital media items seized from Nicks. The examiner found evidence of child pornography on two devices, an HP laptop and a Dell desktop computer. The examiner found evidence of files depicting child pornography in at least 10 videos and more than 450 photos. Nicks admitted trading, sharing, and receiving images of child pornography with other Skype users.
Nicks was previously arrested in 2006 and charged with Possession of Child Pornography in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska. He was convicted on May 2, 2006, and sentenced on July 27, 2006 to imprisonment for a term of 36 months, followed by a 2-year term of supervised release.
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.
The case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Man Sentenced to Ten-Year Consecutive Sentence for Robbery of Jewelry StoreRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Kenneth S. Jones, 41, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for the crime of robbery in violation of the Hobbs Act. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Jones to 120 months’ imprisonment, to be served consecutive to the 220-month sentence to imprisonment Jones received in the Southern District of Texas on June 6, 2019. Judge Buescher also ordered Jones to pay over $500,000 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On the evening of February 17, 2018, an Omaha jewelry store, Pretty in Patina, was robbed by a lone suspect, later determined to be Jones. Jones entered the store wearing a mask and gloves and approached the jewelry counter, pointing what appeared to be a handgun at the store clerk and demanding jewelry. He threw a garbage bag at one of the employees and placed a pillowcase on the counter. Employees put jewelry in the pillowcase and Jones left the garbage bag in the store. Numerous items were taken from the store, valued at several hundred thousand dollars. The same day, the Omaha Police Department crime lab determined that four fingerprints found on the garbage bag belonged to Jones. On March 2, 2018, Omaha Police officers executed a warrant to search defendant’s last known address in Omaha. Officers located two rings from the jewelry store and investigators determined that Jones gave them to a resident who was instructed to sell them.
On April 17, 2018, having fled to Texas, Jones robbed a convenience store in McAllen, stole a store clerk’s car, and drove to a bank. Jones then robbed the bank of over $10,000 using what appeared to be a handgun and abandoned the stolen car. Jones hailed a taxi on foot and was tracked to a hotel in the area. Investigators searched his room at the hotel and recovered most of the cash from the bank, a realistic-appearing black BB gun, and the car keys to the stolen car he had left behind at the bank. The taxi driver was interviewed and reported that Jones had used the taxi service to travel to several nearby jewelry and pawn shops.
On April 18, 2018, investigators contacted a pawn shop in McAllen, Texas. They learned that between March 18, 2018, and April 14, 2018, the defendant pawned approximately 40 pieces of jewelry there. Investigators confirmed that several of those jewelry pieces were taken in the robbery of the jewelry store in Omaha. Jones was located and arrested in McAllen and a realistic looking BB gun was found in his motel room.
Jones was thereafter convicted of Bank Robbery by Force or Violence in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and was sentenced to imprisonment for 220 months.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the McAllen (Texas) Police Department.
Norfolk Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Nicole Peterson, 37, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Peterson to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, she will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
On March 30, 2019, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for a building in Kearney, Nebraska. The building had been converted into makeshift living quarters by co-defendant, Rodney Randolph. Peterson and Josiah Negley were also present in the building. The search by law enforcement resulted in the seizure of 117 grams of methamphetamine. The three defendants admitted to getting pounds of methamphetamine from Colorado to distribute in Kearney.
Co-defendant Rodney Randolph has pled guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on July 29, 2022. Josiah Negley is awaiting trial, which is currently scheduled to begin on May 31, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Kansas Man Sentenced for Counterfeit Currency and Fictitious Treasury ChecksRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Deantra Lamar Watson, 42, of Wichita, Kansas, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon to a sentence of time served for Transportation of Fictitious Obligations of the United States, Possession of Counterfeit Currency, and Possession of a Document-Making Implement or Authentication Feature. Watson has been in custody for approximately 9 months. There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release, Watson will serve a 5-year term of Supervised Release.
On September 2, 2021, Watson was stopped by deputies in Richardson County, Nebraska. Watson was arrested on state charges and a search was conducted of his vehicle. During the search, officers found $3,434.00 in counterfeit United States currency. Officers also found $4,800 in fictitious United States Treasury checks that were purported Covid Economic Impact Payments. Officers found fictitious driver’s licenses with defendant’s picture, but other individuals’ information. Also in Watson’s possession was a book bag which contained blank white plastic cards with mag strips and chips. Law enforcement also found printed images purporting to be Kansas Driver’s licenses that were printed on paper with an adhesive backing as well as paper images of licenses that could be placed on a white plastic card to create an identification. A printer used to make identification cards on white plastic cards was also found.
“Today’s sentence is a reminder that the United States Secret Service is committed to aggressively investigating and pursuing those who commit financial crimes against citizens of our communities,” said Brandon C. Bridgeforth, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service Kansas City Field Office. “The success in this case demonstrates the investigative capabilities of the Secret Service and the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners. The Secret Service will continue to work with all our counterparts to effectively identify those victimizing our communities and bring them to justice while protecting the financial infrastructure of the United States.”
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Richard County Sheriff’s Office, and the Omaha Police Department.
New York and Wisconsin Men Convicted at Trial for Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Michael Aponte, 32, of Syracuse, New York, and Rawy Correa-Perez, 31, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, were convicted on May 19, 2022, following a jury trial before United States Judge Brian C. Buescher, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Sentencing for both are scheduled for August 25, 2022. Aponte and Correa-Perez are facing a term of imprisonment of at least ten years to life for each count. There is no parole in the federal system.
At trial, Douglas County Nebraska deputies testified that on February 26, 2021, they stopped a vehicle driven by Aponte for a traffic violation. Correa-Perez was a passenger in vehicle. During the contact with Aponte and Correa-Perez, deputies noted several indicators of criminal behavior. Deputies deployed “Bezos”, a certified drug detection canine, who indicated to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed 13, one-kilogram bricks of cocaine in the vehicle’s spare tire.
The Drug Enforcement Administration assisted in the investigation. DEA special agents testified to obtaining and analyzing electronic data that was obtained from Apple, Inc. for both Aponte and Correa-Perez. The electronic data contained photographs consistent with the drug trade. Special agents also provided expert testimony, including that the cocaine had a value of approximately $390,000.
In addition, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Bureau assisted in the analysis of both the cocaine and fingerprints that were obtained from the cocaine packaging.
This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
U.S. Attorney Jan W. Sharp Announces RetirementRead the Press Release
After serving 40 years as a prosecutor in Nebraska, United States Attorney Jan W. Sharp announced today that he intends to retire at the end of May. Sharp, a native Nebraskan, attended the University of Nebraska College of Law graduating with distinction in 1982. That same year he began his career as a prosecutor serving as a Deputy Lancaster County Attorney in Lincoln. He spent six years in the office handling a variety of criminal cases ranging from white collar crimes to homicide. During his tenure he worked with the newly created Technical Investigations Unit of the Lincoln Police Department on white collar criminal investigations.
In 1988 Sharp joined the United States Attorney’s Office in Omaha where he handled a wide variety of criminal matters including terrorism, violent crime in Indian Country, white collar fraud, political corruption, drug trafficking and civil rights violations. In 2001 Sharp was named Criminal Chief for the United States Attorney’s Office, a position he held for 17 years. In 2018 he was appointed to the position of First Assistant United States Attorney under United States Attorney Joe Kelly. Following Kelly’s resignation in 2021, Sharp was appointed as Acting United States Attorney and later appointed by the United States District Court to serve as Interim United States Attorney, a position he has since held. The United States District Court will appoint Sharp’s successor to take over as Interim United States Attorney following the end of his service until such time as a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney is named.
Sharp said, “I have been blessed to have worked with so many talented and dedicated attorneys, support staff and law enforcement officers over my 40-year career. I was also fortunate to have practiced in front of Judges who were intelligent, collegial, and completely committed to the honorable performance of their duties. As I leave, I truly believe that during my tenure in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, I held the best job in the legal profession. Working with people dedicated to making our communities safer is a privilege and I leave with the utmost admiration for the professionals who continue to carry out the mission.”
Grand Jury - May 2022Read the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan W. Sharp announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 17 unsealed Indictments charging 19 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.
* Mohamed Gamar Ahmed, age 19, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Ahmed with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl on or about March 28, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Ahmed with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about March 28, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment and up to life consecutive to Count I, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Brenda K. Banks, age 60, of Omaha, is charged in a nine-count Indictment. Counts I through VIII charge Banks with wire fraud beginning on or about April 2, 2018 and continuing through June 25, 2020. The penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment for each charge. Count IX charges Banks with bank fraud beginning on or about March, 2020 and continuing to on or about May, 2020. The penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
* Martin Alvarez-Lopez, age 44, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after a felony on or about April 21, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Kiara Jimenez, age 27, and Kelvin Baez-Adames, age 35, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of fentanyl analogue on or about August, 2021 and continuing to on or about May 4, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Danelle Charf, age 47, of Neligh, Nebraska, is charged in a five-count Indictment. Counts I through V charge Charf with healthcare fraud beginning on or about October 7, 2020 and continuing through January 11, 2021. The penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment for each charge.
* Tesluach K. Gatkuoth, age 25, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with prohibited person in possession of a firearm on or about April 8, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Wagner Gomez-Batres, age 26, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 22, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Nestor Gomez-Orta, age 36, and Mellenize A. Utterback, age 30, are charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Gomez-Orta and Utterback with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about April 25, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Utterback with felon in possession of ammunition. The penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about April 25, 2022.
* Anthony Jimenez-Godinez, age 22, of Franklin Park, Illinois, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about March 21, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Adrian Lemus-Cruz, age 24, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after felony conviction on or about April 20, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Juan Lopes-Castro a/k/a Juan Lopez-Castro, age 31, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 28, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Juan Lopez-Bernabe, age 36, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 16, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Javier Ramos-Padilla, age 47, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 26, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* BJ Jaquez Rice, age 29, is charged with felon in possession of a firearm on or about March 11, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Detrick Anthony Michael Smith, age 29, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with prohibited person in possession of a firearm on or about April 6, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Travis S. Walker, age 22, is charged with escape from custody on or about April 29, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* DeJuan Wynne, age 29, is charged with escape from custody on or about April 28, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Columbus Man Sentenced for Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Dezmin Meridith, 27, of Columbus, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for Transportation of Child Pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Meridith to 90 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Meridith will serve 10 years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. Chief Judge Rossiter ordered Meridith to pay $12,000 in restitution.
In May 2019, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a CyberTipline Report that a Dropbox user had uploaded child pornography. Investigators identified Meridith as a suspect and determined that he had relocated from Omaha back to Columbus. Investigators contacted Meridith who admitted to purchasing packages of child pornography files on a chat application and then uploading them to Dropbox.
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 Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force
Man Sentenced for Firearm and Drug Trafficking CrimesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Mark Pochop, 36, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Pochop to 87 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.
On June 14, 2020, Omaha Police officers saw a white Cadillac displaying license plates belonging to a different vehicle. The Cadillac was seen briefly meeting another car in a business parking lot in Omaha. After the meeting, officers attempted a traffic stop on the white Cadillac in the area of 15th and Pierce Streets in Omaha. The Cadillac failed to stop.
Pochop fled on foot from the white Cadillac. Pochop was detained after he tripped and fell. Near Pochop, officers recovered small baggies containing methamphetamine. Officers searched the white Cadillac and located a Taurus PT111 9mm handgun in the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Pochop claimed ownership of the firearm and later admitted to selling methamphetamine in exchange for a firearm and a ballistic vest earlier that day.
This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Guatemalan Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Conspiracy to Produce and Transfer Fraudulent DocumentsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Estuardo Hernando Ruiz-Orozco, 51, of Guatemala, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for Conspiracy to Produce and Transfer Fraudulent Documents. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Ruiz-Orozco to 24 months’ imprisonment. Prior to sentencing, Ruiz-Orozco had forfeited $17,561.00 as proceeds or property facilitating the fraudulent document scheme. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Ruiz-Orozco will be deported by U.S. immigration authorities after completing his sentence to imprisonment.
In the spring of 2020, law enforcement officers investigating an identity theft matter involving the use of a deceased person’s Social Security number learned that fraudulent identity documents could be obtained from a co-conspirator residing in Fremont, Nebraska.
Over the course of the year, investigators made several purchases of fraudulent documents (Social Security cards, state Driver’s Licenses, and Lawful Permanent Resident cards (I-551s) from the co-conspirator, who was receiving dozens of packages originating in California through the U.S. Mail. Investigators determined that another co-conspirator residing in Pomona, California, was the source of the fraudulent documents mailed to Nebraska. Investigators determined that Ruiz-Orozco, residing in Wakefield, Nebraska, was also selling fraudulent documents obtained from the California supplier.
On October 7, 2020, an undercover officer ordered fraudulent identity documents from Ruiz-Orozco. On October 15, 2020, defendant produced a Driver’s License, an I-551, and a Social Security Card to the undercover officer.
Investigators planned and executed coordinated arrests of the defendants on April 14, 2021. Investigators obtained warrants to search the Nebraska defendants’ residences and cars, yielding dozens of counterfeit federal and state identity cards, blank card stock for use in producing fraudulent documents, and nine notebooks containing customer names and biographical information.
Trial for the remaining defendants is scheduled for June 21, 2022.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, and the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.
Macy Woman Sentenced to 76 Months for Drug Trafficking and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Teriona Freemont, age 25, of Macy, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court, in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Freemont to 76 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing her term of imprisonment, Freemont will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On March 8, 2020, after traveling through Nebraska, Freemont and co-conspirators Pablo Leyva and Chrystian Townsley drove in a truck in Arizona on their way to Mexico to engage in drug trafficking. They brought a Diamondback Arms, Inc., DB-15 rifle to facilitate the drug trafficking. Officers in Arizona pulled them over and took the rifle. Freemont was prohibited from possessing firearms because she was an unlawful user of methamphetamine and marijuana.
After the traffic stop, Freemont, Leyva, and Townsley continued traveling toward Mexico. During the next few days, they reached the Mexican border, entered Mexico to facilitate drug trafficking, left the truck in Mexico, and re-entered the United States on foot. After re-entering, another individual drove to Arizona, picked them up, and they began traveling back to Nebraska. On March 14, 2020, in Liberal, Kansas, while driving to Nebraska, an officer pulled them over and located 5 cellophane wrapped packages collectively containing about 4 pounds of methamphetamine and 65 fentanyl pills in the vehicle. Freemont, Leyva, and Townsley were transporting the drugs to distribute them.
Leyva and Townsley both previously pled guilty to a firearm and conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine charges and received sentences of 20 years’ and 15 years’ imprisonment respectively.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the United States Secret Service, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Kevin Watson, age 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distribution and possession of child pornography. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Watson to 84 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Watson will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Watson must also pay $3,000 in restitution.
On April 28, 2020, law enforcement partially downloaded a torrent file containing child pornography from Watson’s residence in Omaha. Watson had made the child pornography available for downloading. On May 8, 2020, officers executed a search warrant at Watson’s Omaha residence and obtained his laptop computer. Officers located at least 12 images and 15 videos of child pornography on the laptop. Watson admitted to possessing the child pornography on the laptop and to using FrostWire and Limewire to locate 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.
The case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
California Couple Sentenced for Sex Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that John Wong, 61, and Joyce Luo, 49, both of Rowland Heights, California, were sentenced on May 4, 2022, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for their role in a sex trafficking conspiracy. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Wong and Luo each to 1 year and a day imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Wong and Luo are released from prison, they will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Judge Buescher fined Wong $50,000 and Luo $5,000.
An investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations determined that beginning in May 2017, Wong and Luo, assisted females to travel to Nebraska for to engage in commercial prostitution. Wong and Luo, who cohabitate, would place advertisements for “Hot Young Sexy Asian Girls” on the website, Backpage.com. The advertisements were directed at customers in numerous cities, including Omaha, Nebraska. The Backpage advertisements provided a phone number for a prospective customer to call and set up a “date.” Wong and Luo also facilitated and made travel and lodging arrangements for the females. Wong and Luo would communicate with the females using WeChat, a Chinese multi-purpose messaging, social media, and mobile payment application.
There were approximately 5,451 Backpage advertisements posted in 44 cities, including Omaha, using phone numbers associated with Wong and Luo. Once a customer would contact the number associated with a Backpage advertisement listed, Luo, working out of a “call center” in California, would communicate with the prospective customer. Lou would direct that customer to a hotel where a female was staying for purposes of engaging in commercial prostitution. The females charged customers $160 for a half hour of time and $200 for an hour of time. The female would typically keep a portion of a payment for the commercial sex act. The female would also deposit a portion of the payment into a bank account associated with Wong and Luo.
Wong and Luo agreed to abandon and forfeit to the government more than $2.6 million dollars in proceeds related to the operation as well as a 2015 BMW X6.
“Defendants, like these, are far more concerned with lining their pockets through the sexual trafficking of vulnerable individuals, than the humane treatment of those they manipulated,” said acting Special Agent in Charge of the Kansas City area of operations R. Sean Fitzgerald. “HSI and our law enforcement partners are committed to the eradication of these types of sex crimes and will continue to work to protect these at-risk populations from harm.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 186 Months for Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan W. Sharp announced that Christopher Smith, age 51, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced in federal court on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Smith to 186 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Smith will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On December 18, 2019, Smith was a passenger of a vehicle in Omaha and police found him in possession of a Taurus handgun, a .45 caliber handgun, $1,200, and methamphetamine. Smith admitted to possessing both firearms and to selling drugs. Smith was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (2000) and felon in possession of a firearm (2006).
On February 28, 2020, officers arrested Smith at his Omaha residence. Smith was in possession of crack cocaine and $1,790. Later that day, officers executed a search warrant on a hotel room and found other conspirators along with 399 grams of methamphetamine, a drug scale, and a firearm. On March 2, 2020, officers searched a vehicle related to the investigation and found another 304 grams of methamphetamine concealed in it.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Omaha Police Department.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Firearm and Drug Trafficking CrimesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Jordan R. Torres, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 4, 2022, in federal court in Omaha for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Torres to 120 months’ imprisonment on the methamphetamine charge consecutive to 60 months on the firearm charge for a total sentence of 180 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On January 21, 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration received information that Torres, who had an outstanding arrest warrant, was staying at a local Omaha hotel and was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine and possessed a firearm. Law enforcement conducted surveillance and was able to confirm where Torres was staying. Agents made entry into the room to arrest Torres on his outstanding warrant. While in the room, officers saw in plain view drug paraphernalia. The room was cleared and secured, and officers obtained a search warrant and returned to search the room. Agents found a holster, a Smith & Wesson 9mm firearm, loose ammunition and over 350 grams of methamphetamine.
The warrant related to a charge of criminal possession of a financial transaction device. He was prosecuted by the Douglas County Attorney’s office on that charge.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Omaha Field Division, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 180 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug and Firearm ConvictionsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Adan Casillas-Aguilar, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking offense. Casillas-Aguilar received a sentence of 180 months’ imprisonment with a five-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system. Casillas-Aguilar also forfeited $48,317 that was seized as part of the investigation.
On November 9, 2020, officers with the Omaha Police Department utilized an informant to purchase 25 grams of pure methamphetamine from Casillas-Aguilar. On November 24, 2020, a second controlled buy using an informant resulted in an additional 150 grams of pure methamphetamine being purchased from Casillas-Aguilar.
On December 2, 2020, a search warrant was executed on Casillas-Aguilar’s residence in Omaha. During the search, 9.88 pounds of methamphetamine and $48,317 were seized. In addition, officers located 8 firearms, including a loaded rifle that was located on the kitchen table.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Omaha man Sentenced to 96 Months for Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Shane Morris, 45, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on April 25, 2022, by United States Chief Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for possessing with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. Morris received a sentence of 96 months’ imprisonment with a four-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.
On April 17, 2020, during a traffic stop by the Omaha Police Department, 10 grams of pure methamphetamine were found in Morris’s possession. Morris was also stopped by the Omaha Police Department on October 21, 2020, and found to be in possession of 6 grams of methamphetamine. On January 10, 2021, Morris was again stopped by the Omaha Police Department and was in possession of 19 grams of methamphetamine. Finally, Morris sold methamphetamine to an Omaha Police Department informant on both January 5, 2021 (3 grams) and January 6, 2021 (5 grams).
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Grand Jury - April 2022Read the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan W. Sharp announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 14 unsealed Indictments charging 17 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.
* Michael Bender, age 50, of Omaha, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about February 15, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Judith Ann Deandrade, age 37, of Amesbury, Massachusetts, and Arica Marie Downs, age 35, of Rumford, Maine, are charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about March 9, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Matthew J. Doherty, II, age 35, of Valley, Nebraska, is charged with delay or destruction of mail on or about March 12, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Johnny A. Dolph, age 49, of Omaha, and Jennifer Norwood, a/k/a Jennifer Dolph, age 42, of Omaha, are charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges each with conspiracy to tamper with documents or proceedings on or about March 30, 2022. The penalty if convicted 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment. Count II charges both with tampering with documents or proceedings on or about March 30, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
* Sheraz J. Gill, age 27, of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Gill with transmitting threatening communications on or about August 2, 2020. The penalty if convicted 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Gill with cyberstalking beginning on or about July 26, 2020 and continuing to on or about August 3, 2020. The penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
* Juwan Grant, age 23, of Decatur, Nebraska, is charged with sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country beginning on or about February, 2021 and continuing through May, 2021. The penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a not less than five-year term of supervised release up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
* Joey D. Huston, age 53, of Bellevue, Nebraska, is charged with destruction of government property on or about March 15, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Loretta L. Janssen, age 57, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is charged in a five-count Indictment alleging wire fraud between July 20, 2017 and continuing to on or about July 7, 2021. The penalty on each count if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about July 7, 2021.
* Lidia Irena Kula, age 33, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I charges Kula with distribution of heroin resulting in serious bodily injury on or about December 27, 2021. The penalty if convicted is not less than 20 years and up to life imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Counts II through IV charge Kula with distribution of heroin on or about January 14, 2022 and continuing to on or about January 24, 2022. The penalty on each count if convicted 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Elias Ramirez, Jr., age 33, of Provo, Utah, and Chaminque Porter, age 35, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine (mixture) on or about December 20, 2021 and continuing to on or about December 21, 2021. The penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a four-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Eric K. Rose, age 35, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges Rose with possession with intent to distribute of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about January 26, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a four-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Rose with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about January 26, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment consecutive to Count I, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Rose with felon in possession of a firearm on or about January 26, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about January 26, 2022.
* Austin T. Tenbrink, age 22, of Grandville, Michigan, is charged with a two count Indictment. Count I charges Tenbrink with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about October 26, 2021. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Tenbrink with felon in possession of a firearm on or about October 26, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Esteban Vasquez Gomez, age 40, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about March 29, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jordan Wolfe, age 23, of Macy, Nebraska, is charged with assault on an officer with physical and bodily injury on or about March 28, 2022. The penalty if convicted is up to 8 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Macy Man Sentenced for RobberyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Andres Runningshield, 20, of Macy, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court for two counts of robbery. The Honorable Brian C. Buescher, sentenced Runningshield to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Runningshield will serve 3 years of supervised release. Co-Defendant Tariq Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced on June 30, 2022.
In March 2021, officers with the Omaha National Law Enforcement Services responded to a residence in Macy, Nebraska, on a report of a fight. Officers contacted the victims who advised that they had given two men a ride from Sioux City, Iowa, back to Macy, Nebraska, and when they arrived at the residence, the men assaulted them and robbed them at knifepoint, taking a cell phone and the keys to the vehicle. Witnesses identified the robbers as Runningshield and Thomas.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 65 Months for Robbery SpreeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Jerome Davis, 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on Friday, April 8, 2022, in federal court in Omaha for Interference with Commerce by Robbery. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Davis to 65 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
Between August 19, 2020, and September 3, 2020, Davis and a coconspirator committed a series of five robberies at businesses throughout Omaha. During the robberies, Davis, whose face was concealed, would either claim to have a gun or weapon or brandish a knife and demand money from the employees and owners of the businesses. The businesses included the Everest Gas Mart (Phillips 66), on Leavenworth Street, which Davis robbed twice, a Speedee Mart on South 84th Street, the Nu Trend Dry Cleaners located on Center Street, and a Subway sandwich shop located on North Saddle Creek Road. At several of the locations Davis was observed leaving the area in a white Buick sedan bearing in-transit tags.
On September 3, 2020, Omaha Police Department (OPD) officers were dispatched to a robbery that occurred at the Subway restaurant. The suspect, later determined to be Davis, was reported to be armed with a knife. Davis robbed the Subway and fled from the business. Officers observed the white Buick sedan in the area following the robbery and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle refused, leading them on a vehicle pursuit. OPD officers observed Davis in the passenger seat and a female suspect, later determined to be co-defendant Capreeca Jackman, who was driving. During the pursuit Davis threw paper and coin currency and a green cash register drawer from the passenger window of the Buick. The pursuit continued for several minutes before the Buick slowed, allowing Davis to get out and flee on foot in the area North 20th and Charles Streets. Officers arrested him. Officers continued to pursue Jackman in the white Buick sedan until she stopped near North 42nd and Izard Streets where she also was arrested.
During the interview, Jackman confirmed she drove the defendant to the areas of two of the targeted businesses. Jackman provided information that she and Davis were staying at the Motel 6 on South 84th Street. Jackman gave consent to search their shared room and to search her white Buick sedan. Additional evidence was in the Buick including the knife brandished by Davis and the face coverings he wore during the robberies.
Jackman’s trial is scheduled to begin May 23, 2022, before Chief Judge Rossiter.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Nebraska Man Sentenced for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Matthew Carpenter, 37, of Holdrege, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 9 years in federal prison for possession of 5 grams or more of pure methamphetamine, with intent to distribute. Following his prison term, Carpenter will serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On January 25, 2020, a Kearney Police Officer attempted a traffic stop of Carpenter. Carpenter initially pulled over. Moments later, he sped away through a trailer court. The police officer caught up to the vehicle within a minute. Carpenter had left the car abandoned in the street with his passenger still sitting in the car. Officers were able to follow Carpenter’s foot tracks in the snow leading to a storage shed. Inside the shed officers found Carpenter hiding. Carpenter had a scale in his pocket. Police also found three bags of suspected methamphetamine just inches from where Carpenter had been crouched down hiding. The substance was later sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory where it was confirmed to be at least 52 grams of pure methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Kearney Police Department and the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force, which is made up of officers from the Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff, Hastings Police Department, Adams County Sheriff, Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 135 Months for Sex Trafficking of a MinorRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Lance Harper, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for sex trafficking of a minor. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Harper to 135 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Harper will serve 5 years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Federal agents began investigating in September 2020, after two Omaha foster children went missing from their foster home. The investigation showed that Harper transported one of the minors to Norfolk, Nebraska, where the minor engaged in sex with an adult male for money and Harper received some of the money from the sex sale.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Omaha Police Department, and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.
Grand Island Woman Sentenced for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Erika Vargas, 39, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 10 years in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system. Following her prison term, Vargas will serve eight years on supervised release.
In May of 2019, an informant working with law enforcement contacted Vargas to purchase methamphetamine. Vargas then facilitated the purchase of methamphetamine from her supplier.
In September of 2019, the informant contacted Vargas again to purchase methamphetamine. Vargas agreed to sell the informant half an ounce of methamphetamine. On the way to their meeting location, Vargas contacted the informant and stated that she had already sold the half ounce of methamphetamine but had more coming. Once the informant arrived at the agreed location, Vargas introduced the informant to another supplier who then provided the informant with half an ounce of methamphetamine.
Vargas had previously been convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine in 2004, which increased her penalties for this case.
This case was investigated by the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force, which is made up of officers from the Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff, Hastings Police Department, Adams County Sheriff, Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Missouri Man Sentenced to 100 Months for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Charles Ryan Croney, age 26, of Missouri, was sentenced in federal court on April 1, 2022, in Omaha, Nebraska, for distribution of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Croney to 100 months of imprisonment and ordered him to pay $36,000 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Croney will begin a 7-year term of supervised release.
On January 1, 2020, Croney uploaded two images of child pornography to an online chat group. On January 30, 2020, a federal search warrant was executed where Croney was temporarily residing in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Agents obtained Croney’s cellular phone and located about 400 images of child pornography. Agents later searched Croney’s online Discord account and located additional child pornography.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Man on Parole for Murder Sentenced to 270 Months for Attempted Home Invasion RobberyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Rufus E. Dennis, 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for Attempted Interference with Interstate Commerce by way of Robbery; possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and felon in possession of a firearm. Dennis has a prior murder conviction for which he was out on parole when he committed the robbery and firearm offenses.
Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Dennis to a term of 270 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Dennis will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Chief Judge Rossiter varied upward from the recommended federal sentence in this case and supported his decision to do so based on the fact that Dennis intended to murder victims during a planned home invasion robbery and was on parole for second degree murder at the time of the instant offenses. The FBI obtained recordings of Dennis describing in detail his plans for the home invasion. Dennis expressed in the recordings that he was not going to be caught or identified and would leave no witnesses behind.
The evidence at trial showed that Dennis “cased” a family’s home on four separate occasions in January, 2020 while he was gathering information about the home and the family’s movements. A single mother of two young children lived in the home. Dennis planned to do physical harm to that woman in the presence of her elderly mother once he gained entry to the residence. Dennis ultimately planned to shoot anyone who saw his face during the home invasion. In furtherance of that plan, Dennis unwittingly attempted to buy handguns from an undercover officer and recruited a confidential informant with the FBI to act as his lookout and getaway driver for the home invasion.
On the morning of the planned home invasion, agents, investigators, and officers with the Greater Omaha Safe Streets Task Force executed search and arrest warrants at Dennis’s residence and recovered a stolen firearm with Dennis’s DNA on it. Dennis hoped to trade the rifle for a handgun with the undercover officer prior to invading the home.
United States Attorney Jan Sharp stated, “Omaha is a better place today following the arrest and conviction of Rufus Dennis. We cannot create a better community when armed predators roam our streets. The lengthy sentenced imposed on Mr. Dennis represents a win for the citizens of Omaha.”
Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “The FBI’s Greater Omaha Safe Streets Task Force arrested Rufus Dennis before he carried out his plan to terrorize a single mother, her two toddler children and their elderly grandmother. At the time of his arrest, Dennis was one of the Omaha Police Department’s most wanted individuals. With today’s sentencing, our community will no longer have to worry about this violent perpetrator hurting or terrorizing anyone else for a very long time.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bellevue Police Department, and the Omaha Police Department.
Hastings Man Sentenced for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that James Mitchell, 34, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced on March 31, 2022, by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 15 years in federal prison for possession of 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine, with intent to distribute. Following his prison term, Mitchell will serve ten years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
In January of 2020, James Mitchell was stopped by North Platte police driving a Chevy Cobalt with only one working headlight. The officer could smell marijuana. Mitchell admitted to the officer that he had just smoked marijuana and stated there may be more in the vehicle. The officer then searched the vehicle and found marijuana and methamphetamine.
The following month, in February of 2020, deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Troopers from the Nebraska State Patrol were at Lake Maloney State Recreation Area south of North Platte, following up on an unrelated investigation. Mitchell, driving a Chevy Cobalt, slowed down and came to a stop near the law enforcement officers. Two officers recognized Mitchell and knew there to be an active warrant for his arrest. He was given verbal commands to get out of the car. Mitchell did not comply, put the car in reverse, accelerated rapidly, and backed into a parked patrol vehicle. The side mirror on Mitchell’s car struck a deputy attempting to arrest Mitchell. Mitchell then drove forward in the direction of the deputies at which time a deputy fired his weapon striking Mitchell. Mitchell was taken to the hospital where he admitted to using marijuana and methamphetamine and was treated for his injuries. Deputies found four bags of methamphetamine in Mitchell’s vehicle. All four bags tested positive for methamphetamine with the largest bag being 75 grams of actual or pure methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, the North Platte Police Department, and the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force, which is made up of officers from the Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff, Hastings Police Department, Adams County Sheriff, Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.