District of Nebraska
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
California Woman Sentenced for Delivering Methamphetamine on Behalf of Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joseph P. Kelly announced that on June 3, 2019, Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Jessica Medina, of California, to a 70 month term of imprisonment, to be served in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Medina pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. During the first few months of 2018, Medina conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine throughout the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area. Medina functioned as a courier for the organization and delivered methamphetamine to customers on behalf of Jasive Zamora-Carrillo, of Council Bluffs, Iowa. On February 25, 2019, Zamora-Carrillo was sentenced to 168 months imprisonment. Six additional defendants in the case have already been sentenced. Medina’s term of imprisonment will be followed by a three year term of supervised release.
The case was primarily investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration – Omaha Field Division, the Omaha Police Department, and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force.
Man Sentenced for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon on the Omaha Nation Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Angelo Russell, an enrolled member of the Omaha Nation, was sentenced Friday, May 31, 2019, by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter to 60 months’ probation for assault with a dangerous weapon. He was also ordered to pay a $2,500 fine.
Russell, age 38, was at his home on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation when a group of individuals entered his home without permission. After a verbal argument, Russell retrieved a gun as the individuals who entered his home fled in a vehicle. Russell got into his vehicle and pursued the individuals. After locating the individuals, Russell discharged a gun at the occupied vehicle. The vehicle was struck, but there were no injuries.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
May Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 29 indictments charging 32 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.
* Pedro Aguirre-Ortiz, age 25, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on October 16, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Counts II, III and IV of the Indictment charge the defendant with distribution of cocaine. The maximum possible penalty for each if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Agustin Argueta Saenz, age 46, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about April 22, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Antonio Bertucci, age 28, of Macy, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with felon in possession of ammunition on or about February 2, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of ammunition after a conviction for domestic violence on or about February 2, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with domestic assault by a habitual offender on or about February 2, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Cristobal Calixto-Angel, age 35, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about August 20, 2018, following an aggravated felony conviction. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Ivan Contreras-Gomez, age 30, is charged in a five-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on September 5, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of cocaine on August 16, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of cocaine on August 30, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute of 500 grams or more of cocaine on April 25, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $15,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count V of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense on or about April 25, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life consecutive imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about April 25, 2019.
* Anthony Jordan Cook, age 28, of Walthill, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with assault of an intimate partner by strangulation or suffocation on or about March 19, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with domestic assault by a habitual offender on or about March 19, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Luis Alberto Dias Solis, age 40, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about March 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Trent Duckworth, age 31, is charged with felon in possession of ammunition on or about April 29, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Pedro Gerardo Escobar Oxlaj, age 35, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 14, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Billy Fang, age 28, Marvin Moua, age 34, and Meng Her, age 37, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, psilocybin, and marijuana on February 1, 2019 and continuing to on or about May 2, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Santiago Figueroa-Perez, age 46, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with false representation of a social security number on or about September 22, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen for employment on or about September 22, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 25, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Todd Fundermann, age 36, of Loveland, Colorado, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on or about April 1, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with felon in possession of a firearm on or about April 1, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and $100 special assessment.
* Diego Garcia-Bernabe, age 33, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 17, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Juan Carlos Guzman, age 28, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about December 21, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Thomas N. Keller, age 36, of Decatur, Nebraska, is charged with felon in possession of ammunition on or about May 4, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Dennis Chebon Kibowen, age 24, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is charged with false claim of citizenship on or about March 13, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Alexander M. Kingston, a/k/a Alexander M. Caron, age 27, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with enticement of a minor on or about March 29, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ to Life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year to Life term of supervised release, $100 special assessment and a $5,000 additional special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct on or about April 19, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year to Life term of supervised release, $100 special assessment and a $5,000 special assessment.
* Timothy J. Kirsch, age 35, of Omaha, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with sexual exploitation of children with a prior conviction on or about December 14, 2018 and January 20, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is a minimum of 25 years’ to 50 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year to Life term of supervised release, $100 special assessment and a $5,000 additional special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with enticement on or about December 14, 2018 and January 20, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ to Life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year to Life term of supervised release, $100 special assessment and a $5,000 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with receipt of child pornography, with a prior conviction, on or about December 14, 2018 and January 20, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year to Life term of supervised release, $100 special assessment and a $5,000 special assessment. Count IV of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of child pornography, with a prior conviction, on or about December 14, 2018 and January 20, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year to Life term of supervised release, $100 special assessment and a $5,000 special assessment.
* Gerardo Lugo-Para, age 31, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about April 28, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Orlando Miranda De La Cruz, age 35, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about May 13, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Katerina Parker, age 26, is charged with false declarations before a Grand Jury on or about April 17, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Antonio Robinson, age 32, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about March 21, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jesus Efrain Ron-Torres, age 27, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about May 10, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Nereus S. Sutko, age 38, of Omaha, is charged in a ten-count Indictment. Counts I-X of the Indictment charge the defendant with Healthcare Fraud on or about October 30, 2014 and continuing through November 29, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment on each count, a $250,000 fine on each count, a 3-year term of supervised release on each count, and a $100 special assessment on each count.
* Rose Marie Tatum Terry, age 57, of David City, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with false statement in application and use of a passport on or about May 14, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with fraudulent use of social security number on or about March 7, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with fraudulent use of social security number on or about May 2, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Miguel Tercero-Bernabe, age 43, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about April 19, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Maria Tziquin-Calvo, age 38, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with false representation of a social security number on or about November 8, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen for employment on or about November 8, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal reentry after deportation on or about February 2, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Justin Zambrowski, age 42, of Scottsbluff, and Rachael Wasserburgr, age 23, of Box Elder, South Dakota, are charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about March 20, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Sarah Waugh, age 29, of North Platte, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on or about March 13, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine, 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced today that on May 16, 2019, United States District Court Judge Robert Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Luther Gilmore, age 57, of Omaha, Nebraska, for his conviction for felon in possession of a firearm. Gilmore, who went to trial and was found guilty, was sentenced to a jail term of 71 months and was placed on supervised release for three years.
Gilmore was arrested on April 9, 2017 after being found in possession of a .22 caliber handgun by the Omaha Police Department subsequent to a traffic stop near the intersection of North 42nd Street and Spaulding in Omaha. Gilmore was a front seat passenger and the firearm was found within reach in the front console next to his seat. Gilmore was prohibited from possessing a firearm as a result of several prior felony convictions including robberies, burglary, theft and possession of a controlled substance.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Man Sentenced in Drug Conspiracy Following 55-pound Methamphetamine Seizure in Hall CountyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Elmer Alexander Andrade today to imprisonment for 175 months, to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release. Andrade was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 846.
On January 18, 2018, in Hall County, Nebraska, a Nebraska State Trooper stopped a black Ford Expedition, driven by Andrade, for a traffic violation. Investigators searched the Expedition and recovered approximately 55 pounds of methamphetamine. Investigators subsequently executed a search warrant at an apartment in Hastings, Nebraska. Among the items seized from the apartment were narcotics packaging material, a scale, police scanners, ledgers, $17,820 in United States Currency, and an AR-15 firearm.
The case was investigated by the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force.
Lincoln Man Convicted of Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that on May 15, 2019, Sabas Rodriguez-Cisneros, 47, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The trial began in federal court in Lincoln on Monday, May 13, 2019, before Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard.
In early March, 2018, a DHL package was intercepted by United States Customs and Border Control agents at the Cincinnati, Ohio, port of entry. The package was addressed to Rodriguez-Cisneros’s girlfriend in Lincoln, Nebraska. Customs agents opened the package and found suspected methamphetamine and pills. Homeland Security Investigations agents sent the package to their Omaha office, and Omaha HSI agents delivered it to the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force. On March 5, 2018, an undercover Lincoln Police officer delivered the package to Rodriguez-Cisneros’s girlfriend in Lincoln, and she was arrested. The Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory found the package contained 400 grams of substance containing methamphetamine. Purity analysis showed at least 370 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. There were also 197 full fentanyl tablets in the package.
Testimony and evidence presented at trial established that between October of 2016 and March 5, 2018, Rodriguez-Cisneros and several other persons were involved in the sale of methamphetamine in the Lincoln, Dwight, and Crete, Nebraska areas. The jury found Rodriguez-Cisneros responsible for at least 50 grams, (approximately 1 ¾ ounces), of methamphetamine actual (pure) and at least 500 grams, (approximately 18 ounces), of methamphetamine mixture.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 16, 2019. Rodriguez-Cisneros faces a possible sentence of not less than 10 years nor more than life imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000,000.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force, the Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
Former Drug Diversion Officer Sentenced for Drug PossessionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Christopher Kober, 46, was sentenced today in federal court for possession of Schedule II controlled substances. Magistrate Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Kober to two years’ probation.
Kober was employed by the Nebraska State Patrol and assigned to the DEA Drug Diversion Task Force. Included in his responsibilities with the Task Force was the collection of prescription drugs left at collection boxes meant to dispose of old and unused prescription drugs.
On March 17, 2017, officers were called to Kober’s residence in Bellevue, Nebraska. They recovered 1,800 pills of various dosage amounts. The pills and substances included Acetaminophen Hydrocodone Bitartrate; Oxycodone Hydrochloride; Acetaminophen Oxycodone; Morphine Sulfate and Fentanyl patches. All are Schedule II controlled substances. The pills had an estimated street value of $18,000. The pills were located in a bag with other personal belongings of Kober’s.
As part of his plea agreement and sentence, Kober must surrender his law enforcement certification, forego any administrative appeal of his termination from the Nebraska State Patrol, and not seek future employment in law enforcement.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bellevue Police Department.
Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine on the Omaha Nation Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced today that Easton Harlan, an enrolled member of the Omaha Nation, was sentenced Monday, May 13, 2019, by Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp to 60 months’ imprisonment for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. There is no parole in the federal system. Harlan will also serve a three-year term of supervised release after his prison term. Harlan was also sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment concurrent to the possession with intent to distribute charge for violating his supervised release on an earlier case.
Harlan, age 36, was living on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation and was found in possession of approximately thirteen grams of methamphetamine. He was Career Offender, having been convicted of a prior crime of violence and a prior controlled substance offense.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Nebraska Man Setenced to 35 Years for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Nebraska man was sentenced today to 35 years in prison to be followed by lifetime supervised release for producing child pornography in 2016, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Kelly of the District of Nebraska.
Steven R. Carlson, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr. of the District of Nebraska.
According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, in May 2016, Carlson filmed himself engaging in forcible, sexual acts with a non-communicative minor. A search warrant executed on Carlson’s residence resulted in the discovery of hundreds of images of child pornography involving minors including infants and toddlers.
The FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force investigated this case. Trial Attorney William M. Grady of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Norris of the District of Nebraska prosecuted the case.
This investigation is a 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.
Nebraska Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Nebraska man was sentenced today to 35 years in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release for producing child pornography in 2016, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Kelly of the District of Nebraska.
Steven R. Carlson, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr.of the District of Nebraska.
According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, in May 2016, Carlson filmed himself engaging in forcible, sexual acts with a non-communicative minor. A search warrant executed on Carlson’s residence resulted in the discovery of hundreds of images of child pornography involving minors including infants and toddlers.
The FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force is investigating this case. Trial Attorney William M. Grady of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Norris of the District of Nebraska are prosecuting the case.
This investigation is a 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.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Aaron C. Collins, 37, of Lincoln, was sentenced today to four years, (48 months), in federal prison by Chief United States District John M. Gerrard on each of two counts of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine actual (pure). The two sentences will run concurrently (at the same time). Following the prison term, Collins will serve five years on supervised release.
On November 10, 2016, Collins was stopped for traffic violations and was found in possession of four baggies containing a total of at least 75 grams (2 ⅔ ounces) of actual (pure) methamphetamine, more than $2,000 in cash, suspected drug records and brass knuckles with folding knives on each end. On January 27, 2017, Collins was arrested for driving on a suspended license. He was found in possession of four plastic bags containing a total of at least 18 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine, two digital scales, plastic baggies and a loaded handgun. Collins admitted he had just purchased the methamphetamine but denied ownership of the gun, saying someone else left it in his car.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Lincoln Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Lisa Marie Booton, 29, of Lincoln, was sentenced today to 10 years, (120 months), in federal prison by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture. Following the prison term, Booton will serve five years on supervised release.
Information provided to law enforcement indicated that between January of 2013 and August of 2017, Booton was involved in the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms (approximately three pounds) of methamphetamine mixture in the Lincoln area.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 90 Months in Federal Prison for His Role in Six Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Marcus Remus, age 21, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today to 90 months in federal prison by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard following a federal jury trial. In addition to the 90 months of imprisonment, Remus will be placed on 5 years of supervised release when he finishes his sentence, and he will be required to pay $2,271 in restitution to all six victims of his crimes. Remus pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count for discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence on January 2, 2019. Remus faced a term of imprisonment of up to life at his sentencing hearing.
Evidence presented at trial of Remus’s co-defendant, Shawn Brooks, showed that between November 29, 2016 and December 30, 2016, Brooks and Remus robbed one bank and five convenience stores, all in Lincoln, Nebraska. In three of those robberies, Brooks brandished a firearm at employees of the businesses. At the bank robbery, he also fired the weapon multiple times in the direction of bank employees. Remus shot one of the gas station clerks in their final robbery at a convenience store on December 30, 2016. For his role in those crimes, Brooks was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison on April 12, 2019.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department and the FBI.
Guatemalan Man Sentenced for Destruction of Government PropertyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Alfonso Us-Juarez, age 23, of Guatemala, was sentenced in federal court today in Omaha for destroying property of the United States. Senior United States District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Us-Juarez to 3 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Us-Juarez will begin a 6-month term of supervised release. Additionally, Us-Juarez was order to pay restitution in the amount of $2,015.20.
Us-Juarez was issued an Order of Removal in El Paso, Texas, in August of 2017. He was released on humanitarian grounds, given a hearing to consider his claim and given an electronic bracelet to track his whereabouts. On January 4, 2019, Us-Juarez failed to appear for his immigration hearing in Omaha, Nebraska. Immigration agents went to the location of the most recent geo-location from the electronic monitoring device. Us-Juarez was found at that location and arrested. Agents further discovered the electronic device had been cut from Us-Juarez’s ankle and destroyed. As part of his plea agreement and a condition of his supervised release, Us-Juarez has agreed to removal by Immigration Officials.
This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
California Man Sentenced for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Robert S. Goldman, age 60, of Palm Desert, California, was sentenced today in federal court for Wire Fraud. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Goldman to 27 months’ imprisonment and ordered restitution in the amount of $221,414. There is no parole in the federal system. Goldman will begin a 3-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison.
An investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined that in January 2016, Goldman fraudulently obtained personal bank account information of a victim, age 90, who resided in the District of Nebraska. From January 2016 and continuing through August 2017, Goldman made approximately 180 unauthorized wire payments from the victim’s personal bank account to Goldman’s credit card account, which totaled more than $221,414. Investigators determined that Goldman used the fraudulently obtained funds to pay for trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas, shopping excursions, gambling, and other personal expenses.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Alien and Citizen of Mexico sentenced to 16 months in Federal Prison for CockfightingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Fabian Castro, age 48, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced on April 24, 2019, to 16 months of imprisonment by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard. In addition to the imprisonment, Castro will be placed on two years of supervised release after he is released from custody. Castro pleaded guilty to one violation of participation in an animal fighting venture.
Evidence at Castro’s change of plea hearing revealed that Castro was in possession of 31 gamecocks at the time that USDA conducted a search of Juan Pablo Sanchez Delgado’s ranch where Castro trained the birds to fight in matches and where others would gamble on the outcome of the fights. Several of the birds had visible injuries and deformities from both their training and from participating in fights. Castro served as the trainer for Juan Pablo Sanchez Delgado’s animal fighting venture.
Juan Pablo Sanchez Delgado is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10 at 10 a.m. before the Honorable John M. Gerrard.
This case was investigated by Lincoln USDA.
Mexican Man Sentenced for Delivering Methamphetamine on Behalf of Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that on April 22, 2019, Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Emmanuel Solorio-Cruz, of Mexico, to a 46-month term of imprisonment, to be served in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Solorio-Cruz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
During the first few months of 2018, Solorio-Cruz conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine throughout the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area. Solorio-Cruz functioned as a courier for the organization and delivered methamphetamine to customers on behalf of Jasive Zamora-Carrillo, of Council Bluffs, Iowa. On February 25, 2019, Zamora-Carrillo was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment. Four additional defendants in the case have also been sentenced. Solorio-Cruz further agreed as part of his plea agreement to be removed from the United States to Mexico by immigration authorities upon completion of the term of imprisonment.
The case was primarily investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration – Omaha Field Division, the Omaha Police Department, and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force.
Lincoln Woman Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and MarijuanaRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that on April 23, 2019, Vanessa D. Pinkney, 33, of Lincoln, was sentenced to ten years, (120 months), in federal prison by Senior United States District Judge Richard G. Kopf for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture and an unspecified amount of marijuana. Following the prison term, Pinkney will serve five years on supervised release.
On June 13, 2018, the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at the Lincoln residence of Pinkney’s co-defendant, Herbert B. Kinchen. During the search, officers found approximately 2 ½ pounds of methamphetamine and 2 ½ pounds of marijuana. Kinchen and Pinkney were contacted by officers as they approached the residence while the search was being conducted. Pinkney said Kinchen was her boyfriend. She said she did not live at that residence, but she kept clothing and personal items there.
Kinchen has also entered a guilty plea and is scheduled for sentencing in July of 2019.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
April Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 22 indictments charging 26 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.
* Jose Angel Aguilera Campos, age 64, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 11, 2019, following an aggravated felony conviction. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Phillip M. Brown, age 40, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with felon in possession of a firearm on or about December 13 and December 14, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with possession of a stolen firearm on or about December 13 and December 14, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jeremiah Joseph Burkhart, age 38, of Lincoln, and Anna J. Chernyy, age 23, of Lincoln, are charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine from January 30, 2019 and continuing through April 2, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is NLT 10 years’ imprisonment, NMT $10,000,000 fine, NTL 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Chernyy with felon in possession of a firearm on or about April 2, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ consecutive imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Burkhart with felon in possession of a firearm on or about March 13, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ consecutive imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Marco Cahuec Ortiz, age 44, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about April 16, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Melissa Carmona Valenzuela, age 24, of Houston, Texas, and Jose Munoz Perdomo, age 23, of Bronx, New York, are charged in a six-count Indictment. Count I charges both defendants with conspiracy to commit Wire Fraud beginning on or about February 14, 2019, and continuing to on or about February 27, 2019. The Indictment alleges the defendants defrauded Verizon Wireless to obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses. The maximum possible penalty if convicted of Count I is 20 years’ imprisonment for each count, a $250,000 fine for each count, a 3-year term of supervised release for each count, and a $100 special assessment for each count. Counts II & III charge Valenzuela with Wire Fraud on or about February 27, 2019. The Indictment alleges Valenzuela defrauded Verizon Wireless to obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses. The maximum possible penalty if convicted of Counts II & III is 20 years’ imprisonment for each count, a $250,000 fine for each count, a 3-year term of supervised release for each count, and a $100 special assessment for each count. Count IV charges Valenzuela with Producing, Using, or Trafficking in a Counterfeit Access Device from on or about February 14, 2019 to on or about February 27, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Counts V & VI charge Valenzuela with Using or Trafficking in an Unauthorized Access Device from on or about February 14, 2019 to on or about February 27, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Roberto Chaires-Granados, age 66, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about March 18, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Renee L. Coats, age 56, of Hastings, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. In Counts I–III the defendant is charged with Theft of US Mail by Postal Employee on or about September 20, 2018 continuing through October 18, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment on each count, a $250,000 fine on each count, a 3-year term of supervised release on each count, and a $100 special assessment per count.
* Timothy Columbare, age 37, of Mansfield, Massachusetts, is charged with interference with Southwest Airlines flight crew members and attendants on or about March 19, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Dragen Flores Cortes, age 25, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about April 9, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Mathew S. Goad, age 33, of North Platte, Nebraska, and Cory D. Preitauer, age 28, of North Platte, Nebraska, are charged in a five-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendants with conspiracy to produce child pornography beginning on or about June, 2018 and continuing until on or about September, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendants with production of child pornography beginning on or about June, 2018 and continuing until on or about September, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Preitauer with production of child pornography-parent or guardian beginning on or about June, 2018 and continuing until on or about September, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Goad with distribution of child pornography beginning on or about June, 2018 and continuing until on or about September, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment. Count V charges Goad with possession of child pornography beginning on or about March 29, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
* Rigoberto Lopez Salvador, age 27, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about April 3, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Tony Merksick, age 41, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Counts I & II of the Indictment charge Merksick with filing a false tax return from on or about April 13, 2013 and March 24, 2014. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 3 years’ imprisonment, a $100,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Rick Karnes, age 56, of O’Neill, Nebraska, and O’Neill Ventures, LLC, of O’Neill, Nebraska, are charged with conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens from on or about April 20, 2014 through on or about April 16, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted for Karnes is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty if convicted for O’Neill Ventures, LLC is a $500,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and forfeiture of proceeds of any criminal activity.
* Victor Phillips, age 30, of Chicago, Illinois, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine on February 28, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Alan Manuel Rubio Cazarez, age 52, of South Sioux City, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with receipt of visual depictions of minors on or about November 14, 2018 and December 17, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment, $5,000 additional SA. Count II charges the defendant with possession of visual depictions of minors on or about December 18, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment, $5,000 additional SA.
* Arturo Alvaro Sanchez Lopez, age 49, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about April 3, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Miguel Serrano Dominguez, age 37, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about March 28, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Douglas Sibley, age 35, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl on March 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Robin A. Smith, age 39, of Wilcox, Nebraska, is charged with Theft of US Mail by Postal Employee on or about May 16, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Michael Stine, age 32, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with felon in possession of a firearm on or about February 22, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with possession of unregistered firearm on or about February 22, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Santos Tino Garcia, age 46, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about April 4, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Claudio Vallejo-Francisco, age 36, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about April 16, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Williams Vega-Victoriano, age 25, is charged with illegal alien in possession of a firearm on or about March 17, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Trip Set Investigation – Weapons and Drugs OperationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced today that members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Omaha Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service conducted an early morning operation in Omaha, armed with arrest warrants for six individuals on federal and state charges for firearms and narcotics violations. During this investigation the ATF and the Omaha Police Department seized 41 firearms, ten of which were stolen. In addition to the stolen firearms, approximately 31 ounces of marijuana were seized.
This investigation focused on the TRIP SET gang that relied on violent crime and narcotics sales to make money for the gang. Their crimes included armed robberies, home invasions, burglaries and credit card fraud. Between June and October 2018, this gang was responsible for six felony assaults. This group became prevalent in the Omaha area over the past three years and has approximately 154 documented gang members and associates in Omaha. Omaha Police also confirmed additional TRIP SET gang members in Iowa, Minnesota, Texas, Tennessee, Washington, South Dakota, and Utah.
“This operation involving the Omaha Police Department, ATF, and the U.S. Marshals Service removed some very dangerous individuals from our community,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly, “We are very pleased with the determination, coordination and cooperation among these agencies, as well as the Douglas County Attorney’s Office, in this very successful investigation.”
“In partnership with the Omaha Police Department, ATF will continue to identify and bring to justice, those who use or illicitly supply firearms to be used in violence.” said Acting ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Winston.
"The operation is impactful to public safety as it addressed active gang members procuring firearms illegally. I want to thank our federal partners and all the Omaha investigators that worked tirelessly for the public on this." said Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer.
In addition to today’s arrest warrants, six other individuals were already in custody and charged federally prior to the operation. Attached are the names and charges of individuals arrested in this investigation. One individual remains at large. Attached is the list of those in custody.
TRIP SET INVESTIGATION
Targets and their indicted offenses
1. Jal CHUAR
Count 1: Distribution Marijuana (21 USC 841)
Count 2: Possession of Firearm During Drug Trafficking Offense (18 USC 924(c))
Count 3: Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18 USC 922(g)(1))
2. Kuiny GACH
Count 1: Distribution Marijuana (21 USC 841)
Count 2: Possession of Firearm During Drug Trafficking Offense (18 USC 924(c))
Count 3: Distribution Marijuana (21 USC 841)
Count 4: Possession of Firearm During Drug Trafficking Offense (18 USC 924(c))
3. Ammanuel JIEL
Count 1: Distribution Marijuana (21 USC 841)
Count 2: Possession of Firearm During Drug Trafficking Offense (18 USC 924(c))
Count 3: Distribution Marijuana (21 USC 841)
Count 4: Possession of Firearm During Drug Trafficking Offense (18 USC 924(c))
4. Emmanuel JOHN
Count 1: Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18 USC 922(g)(1))
Count 2: Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18 USC 922(g)(1))
Count 3: Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18 USC 922(g)(1))
Count 4: Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18 USC 922(g)(1))
5. Kandaru JOHN
Count 1: Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18 USC 922(g)(1))
Count 2: Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18 USC 922(g)(1))
6. Gatroul PUOL
Count 1: Conspiracy – Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Marijuana (21 USC 846)
Count 2: Distribution Marijuana (21 USC 841)
Count 3: Distribution Marijuana (21 USC 841)
Count 4: Possession of Firearm During Drug Trafficking Offense (18 USC 924(c))
Count 5: Distribution Marijuana (21 USC 841)
Count 6: Possession of Firearm During Drug Trafficking Offense (18 USC 924(c))
Count 7: Distribution Marijuana (21 USC 841)
7. Giel RIAK
Count 1: Distribution Marijuana (21 USC 841)
Count 2: Possession of Firearm During Drug Trafficking Offense (18 USC 924(c))
Count 3: Distribution Marijuana (21 USC 841)
Count 4: Possession of Firearm During Drug Trafficking Offense (18 USC 924(c))
8. Reuben ROWE
Count 1: Distribution Marijuana (21 USC 841)
Count 2: Possession of Firearm During Drug Trafficking Offense (18 USC 924(c))
9. Dajuan SHARRON
Count 1: Robbery of Personal Property of the United States (18 USC 2112)
10. Kan TAP
Count 1: Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18 USC 922(g)(1))
Count 2: Distribution Methamphetamine (21 USC 841)
Count 3: Possession of Firearm During Drug Trafficking Offense (18 USC 924(c))
Count 4: Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18 USC 922(g)(1))
Count 5: Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18 USC 922(g)(1))
11. Loing YAR
Count 1: Distribution Methamphetamine (21 USC 841)
Omaha Man Sentenced for Attempted Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Javon Murry, age 26, was sentenced in federal court today in Omaha, Nebraska, for one count of attempted bank robbery. The Honorable Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Murry to 34 months of imprisonment. Murry was also sentenced to 6 months imprisonment, consecutive to the attempted robbery charge, for violating his supervised release on an earlier case in which he had been convicted of giving a false statement to a licensed firearms dealer. After completing his terms of imprisonment, Murry will begin a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On August 30, 2018, two individuals approached the front door of the Mutual 1st Federal Credit Union, 8073 Blondo Street, in Omaha, Nebraska, dressed in dark clothing with their faces concealed. When Murry attempted to open the door, and found that it was locked, he and the other suspect fled the area. Omaha Police officers did a canvass of the area and located the car seen at the attempted robbery. They learned Murry owned the vehicle. After searching for Murry, they made contact with him on August 31. At that time, Murry admitted that he approached the bank with a mask on and went to the bank with the intent to rob it.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Great Plains Violent Crimes Task Force and Omaha Police robbery unit.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that on April 12, 2019, Jose L. Gonzalez, 28, of Lincoln, was sentenced to 14 years, (168 months), in federal prison by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture. Following the prison term, Gonzalez will serve five years on supervised release.
Information provided to law enforcement indicated that between June of 2015 and January of 2017, Gonzalez was involved in the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms (approximately three pounds) of methamphetamine mixture in the Lincoln area. In October of 2015, Gonzalez was contacted by the Lincoln Police Department on a traffic stop. At that time, he admitted using and selling large amounts of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison for His Role in Six Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Shawn Brooks, age 27, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison today by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard. There is no parole in the federal system. In addition to the 480 months of imprisonment, Brooks will be placed on 8 years of supervised release when he finishes his sentence, and he will be required to pay $2,271 in restitution to all six victims of his crimes. Brooks was convicted by a federal jury of thirteen counts of robbery and gun charges on January 10, 2019.
Brooks was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit robbery; five counts of interference with commerce by robbery; one count of bank robbery; and six counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The jury also found that Brooks should receive a sentence enhancement on three of the firearms count. Brooks received two sentence enhancements for brandishing a firearm and one sentence enhancement for discharging a firearm during and in furtherance of a bank robbery. Brooks faced up to life in prison following the jury’s verdict.
Evidence presented at trial showed that between November 29, 2016, and December 30, 2016, Brooks and his co-defendant, Marcus Remus, robbed one bank and five convenience stores, all in Lincoln. In three of those robberies, Brooks brandished a firearm at employees of the businesses. At the bank robbery, he also fired the weapon multiple times in the direction of bank employees. Remus shot one of the gas station clerks in their final robbery at a convenience store on December 30, 2016.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Council Bluffs Man Functions as Methamphetamine Trafficking Cell for Mexico-based Drug Trafficking, Sentenced to Imprisonment for Fourteen YearsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Carlos Manriquez-Aviles today to a term of imprisonment of 168 months, to be served in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Manriquez, 29 years old, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Use of Facilities in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Racketeering, and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
In 2017, Manriquez distributed multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area and laundered drug proceeds through a Wells Fargo Bank account on behalf of Mexican drug traffickers.
The case was primarily investigated by the Omaha Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations.
Omaha Man Gets 27 Years for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Francisco A. Saldana, age 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced in federal court today for production of child pornography. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Saldana to 324 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Saldana will begin a 15-year term of supervised release and will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
On or about October 6, 2017, agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a federal search warrant at the residence of Saldana in Omaha, Nebraska. During a search of Saldana’s computers and other electronic items, HSI agents identified child pornography including images and videos. The child pornography included images of a female, age 7, and a male, age 8. Both minors were known by Saldana. Agents determined through forensic analysis of Saldana’s computers and other electronic items that he induced both minors to take part in sexually explicit conduct on or about August 26, 2017. Using a digital device, Saldana produced at least eight (8) digital images of the minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
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.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Multiple RobberiesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Sean C. Cortez, age 38, was sentenced in federal court today in Omaha, Nebraska, for two counts of bank robbery and one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery. The Honorable Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Mitchell to 133 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $1,295.00 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Mitchell will begin a three-year term of supervised release.
On July 8, 2018, Cortez entered the Phillips 66 Select Mart at 3707 Center Street, Omaha, and approached the front counter. The counter area is surrounded by bulletproof glass. Cortez pointed his hand, acting as if he had a gun, and demanded money from the clerk. When the clerk, who was behind the counter, didn’t comply, Cortez ran out of the store.
On July 13, 2018, Cortez robbed the U.S. Bank at 3225 South 42nd Street, Omaha. He entered the bank and slid a teller a note demanding money. The teller gave Cortez $444.00 and he left the bank.
On July 14, 2018, Cortez robbed the First National Bank located inside the Hy-Vee at 5150 Center Street, Omaha. Similar to the U.S. Bank robbery, Cortez passed a teller a note demanding $100 bills. As she was pulling out the money, Cortez told her to hurry up. He was able to leave the bank with $851.00.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Great Plains Violent Crimes Task Force and Omaha Police robbery unit.
Council Bluffs Woman, a Distributor for Mexico-based Drug Trafficking Organization, Sentenced to Imprisonment for Eleven YearsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that on March 28, 2019, United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Ralynn Christine Francisco to a term of imprisonment of 132 months, to be served in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Francisco, age 32, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
In the summer of 2017, Francisco obtained multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine from codefendant Baltazar Quintero-Rodriguez, a member of a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization, and redistributed it to customers in the local area. Mexican sources supplied Quintero-Rodriguez with the methamphetamine and directed its distribution to others, including Francisco. In addition, investigators determined that Francisco wired drug proceeds totaling $13,634 on at least 15 occasions to recipients in Mexico in furtherance of a money laundering conspiracy.
The case was primarily investigated by the Omaha Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations.
Lincoln Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Nicole Renee Kemp, 42, of Lincoln, was sentenced today to five years and three months, (63 months) in federal prison by Senior United States District Richard G. Kopf for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture and 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine. Following the prison term, Kemp will serve three years on supervised release.
Information provided to law enforcement indicated that between July of 2016 and September of 2017, Kemp was involved in the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms (approximately three pounds) of methamphetamine mixture and at least 150 grams (over five ounces) of actual (pure) methamphetamine.
In August of 2017, Kemp was stopped by the Lincoln Police Department where officers found over a pound of methamphetamine in the car she was driving. At the time of that stop, Kemp told officers she did not know there was methamphetamine in the car, but she said her co-defendant, Bryant Omonttez Williams, was in the car earlier moving a box around in the backseat.
In September of 2017, a confidential informant, working with investigators, contacted Kemp. Kemp told the informant that Williams had methamphetamine for sale. Williams provided the informant with approximately 1/8 ounce of methamphetamine. On the following day, Kemp met with the informant and collected the money owed for the methamphetamine provided on the previous day by Williams.
Williams also pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and was sentenced in October of 2018 to 262 months in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Nigerian Business E-mail Scammer Sentenced for FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Pelumi Fawehinmi, age 38, of Nigeria, was sentenced Friday, March 22, 2019, for Wire Fraud. United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Fawehinmi to a 72-month term of imprisonment. After his release from prison, Fawehinmi will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. The restitution amount is to be determined and will be ordered at a later date.
Fawehinmi was a key part of a scheme commonly referred to as business e-mail compromise. Fawehinmi provided bank accounts to other co-conspirators who were working directly with businesses to defraud them. In this scheme, co-conspirators used compromised e-mail accounts to send spoofed e-mails to thousands of business employees across the United States who had accounting responsibilities, to include authorizing and sending wire transfers. A spoofed e-mail is one in which the e-mail appears to be originating from a sender other than the person who is truly the sender. Fawehinmi’s co-conspirators posed as Chief Executive Officers or other business executives and would direct recipients of the spoofed e-mails to complete wire transfers. The business employees, thinking that the wire transfer requests were legitimate, would comply with the wire transfer requests and wire money to the location designated in the written instructions. One of Fawehinmi’s co-conspirators, Adewale Aniyeloye, was sentenced to 96 months by Judge Rossiter in February of 2019.
The scheme was primarily conducted from Nigeria where Fawehinmi was living. In 2017, investigators learned Fawehinmi was planning to travel to the United States. He was arrested upon his arrival in New York. Pursuant to this scheme, businesses, including businesses in the District of Nebraska, lost more than $6 million. The attempted losses pursuant to the scheme are more than $30 million. The two Nebraska victims of the fraud scheme lost approximately $163,230.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
March Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 19 indictments charging 21 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.
* Devin L. Ashford, age 32, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with sex trafficking of a minor on or about March 1, 2018 and on or about June 13, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years-Life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with production of child pornography on or about October 1, 2016 and on or about December 14, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15-30 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges the defendant with sex trafficking by means of force, threat, fraud or coercion on or about March 19, 2014 and on or about June 8, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years-Life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges the defendant with interstate travel for prostitution on or about March 19, 2014 and on or about February 27, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Brandi J. Baxter, age 39, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with theft of Government money, property, or records on or about February 28, 2011 and continuing through November 1. 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with false documents on or about August 24, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges the defendant with theft of Government money, property, or records on or about June, 2013 and continuing through on or about October, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Tristen A Coleman, age 30, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with Bank Robbery by force from an employee at Bank of the West on or about May 2, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence on or about May 2, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 7 years-Life consecutive to any other term imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Sender Joel Escobar-Soto, age 36, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about February 26, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Tyler R. Goehring, age 26, is charged in a seven-count Indictment. Counts 1-7 charge the defendant with Wire Fraud on or about November 4, 2016, and continuing through at least on or about June 5, 2017. The Indictment alleges Goehring defrauded American Airlines of payments by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses causing losses of $44,666.71. The maximum possible penalty if convicted of Counts 1-7 is 20 years imprisonment for each count, a $250,000 fine for each count, a 3-year term of supervised release for each count, and a $100 special assessment for each count.
* Jose Alfredo Huertas-Estrada, age 26, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about February 23, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Terrance Ice, age 40, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about February 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Max Kant, age 47, of Norfolk, Nebraska, is charged in a two-Count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with Bank Fraud on or about July 28, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with Bank Fraud on or about April 25, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Travis Allen Larkin, age 28, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with enticement of a minor on or about January 25, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with commission of an offense involving a minor by a Register Sex Offender on or about January 25, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment consecutive, a $250,000 fine, 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jorge Alberto Machuca Lozano, age 37, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about March 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Pedro Mejia-Guardado, age 35, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about February 27, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Oscar Molina Mendez, age 38, of Sioux City, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about February 1, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Noe Morales Carrion, age 42, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about February 26, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Orlando Olaya-Morales, age 22, of Bloomfield, Nebraska, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about April 2, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Amilcar Sauzo Guerrero, age 40, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about March 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jorge Trejo-Rodriguez, age 26, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with being an Illegal Alien in possession of a firearm on or about September 4, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about March 12, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Emmanuel Urrutia-Ramos, age 26, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about March 1, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Isaac Johnson, age 49, Anthony Moore, age 47, and Amanda Ferrell, age 31, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine from October, 2017 and continuing through February 17, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency and a 2011 Nissan Altima seized on or about February 17, 2019.
* Robert Lee Wright, age 36, of Cleveland, Tennessee, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with transportation of child pornography on or about December 1, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment and a $5,000 additional special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with possession of child pornography on or about December 23, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, Life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment and a $5,000 additional special assessment.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Distributing Child Pornography on TwitterRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Keenen G. Russell, 24, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, to 78 months in prison by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard, for the receipt and distribution of child pornography. After his release from federal prison, Russell will be required to serve 5 years on supervised release and register as a sex offender.
In September of 2016, the Omaha office of the Department of Homeland Security received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) concerning two tips they had received from Twitter, Inc. In August of 2016, a Twitter user posted numerous images of suspected child pornography on their Twitter account. Twitter identified the images as being suspected child pornography, suspended the user’s account and forwarded the identifying information to NCMEC. Twitter identified the user and account holder as Keenen Russell. Of the 59 total images, 12 images were child erotica and 27 images were child pornography as defined by federal law. In November of 2016, a federal search warrant was served on Russell’s residence in Lincoln. An Apple iPad was seized and after forensic examination, an additional 346 images and 771 thumbnails of child pornography were located.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security.
Montana Man Enters Pleas of Guilty to Multiple Bank Robberies in the Midwest, Northwest and WestRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Richard Gathercole, of Montana, entered pleas of guilty in federal court in Lincoln on March 11, 2019, to the charges of bank robbery, brandishing a firearm during a bank robbery, and carjacking. Magistrate Judge Cheryl Zwart set sentencing before Chief Judge John M. Gerrard on June 5, 2019, in Lincoln.
On June 19, 2017, Gathercole fired shots at and ultimately eluded a Kansas Highway Patrolman. Gathercole crashed his vehicle and carjacked a citizen who stopped to offer assistance. Gathercole was arrested in Dawson County, Nebraska in the stolen vehicle. A search of the car Gathercole abandoned in Kansas located an AK-47 rifle and a homemade bomb. GPS from a Garmin in the vehicle placed the device at a bank robbery in Nebraska City in 2014 and another in Iowa in 2015. The AK-47 was observed in the Nebraska robbery as well as bank robberies in North Bend, Washington; Rexburg, Idaho; and Mason City, Iowa along with two other bank robberies and one attempted robbery in California. The AK-47 was traced to a bank robbery in Chino, California in February 2012. During this robbery, a police officer was shot in the femur.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Lincoln Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Tara Rae Ellington, 44, of Lincoln, was sentenced today to 21 years and 10 months (262 months) in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine. Ellington admitted, as part of her plea agreement, to having previously been convicted of a felony drug-trafficking offense. Following the prison term, Ellington will serve 10 years on supervised release.
On June 23, 2017, Ellington was a passenger in a car which was stopped for a traffic violation. A Lincoln Police Department K-9 indicated the odor of narcotics coming from the car. Ellington was found in possession of three baggies of methamphetamine totaling more than 118 grams. The largest bag was found to contain at least 97 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. Officers also found digital scales and numerous small plastic bags.
In 2002, Ellington was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. That sentence was later reduced to four and one-half years.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 204 Months for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Gregory Bartunek, 65, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distributing child pornography. A jury previously found Bartunek guilty of child pornography offenses. The Honorable Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Bartunek to 204 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Bartunek will begin a 15-year term of supervised release and be required to register a as sex offender.
On March 26, 2016, a computer at Bartunek’s residence was observed using an online chat service to distribute images of prepubescent minors engaged in a sexual act. The same online chat service again observed a computer from his residence sending another image of child pornography on April 27, 2016.
On May 25, 2016, members of the FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force served a search warrant at Bartunek’s residence in South Omaha. In addition to seizing computers, agents observed four life-sized infant and toddler dolls. Two of the dolls had male genitalia appended. All were clothed in children’s underwear. More children’s underwear was recovered mixed with Bartunek’s underwear in his dresser.
Advanced forensics were used to recover the numerous videos and images that Bartunek, a computer specialist, had erased from his hard drives. Forensic artifacts recovered from the computer showed in excess of 40 titles indicative of or of known child pornography videos. Also recovered were images from the online chat service.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Cyber Crime Task Force (CCTF).
Omaha Man Sentenced for Armed Credit Union RobberyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Joseph Lanckriet, 28, was sentenced on Thursday March 7, 201,9 in Omaha, Nebraska, by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., for the crime of armed bank robbery. Judge Rossiter sentenced Lanckriet to 56 months’ imprisonment, a five-year term of supervised release, and ordered Lanckriet to make restitution in the amount of $27,278 to the SAC Federal Credit Union.
On December 7, 2012, Joseph Lanckriet and co-defendant Thomas Woodard, who was sentenced in February, robbed the SAC Federal Credit Union located at 219 S 23rd St. in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and took $27,278 in credit union funds.
Brandishing a pellet gun, the two robbers confronted a credit union employee at the entrance of the credit union as she was preparing to open for business. After being forced to open the vault and providing them with money, the employee’s hands were zip tied behind her back and her driver’s license was taken from her. She was told if she called the police, they now knew where she lived and they would come back to harm her.
The case went cold but ultimately Lanckriet and Woodard were apprehended in Sioux City, Iowa, in 2014, after they committed another robbery in that city.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Plattsmouth Police Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Michael Dean Elmshauser, 33, of Lincoln, was sentenced today to seven years (84 months) in federal prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. Following the prison term, Elmshauser will serve four years on supervised release.
Information provided to law enforcement indicated that Elmshauser was responsible for the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms (approximately three pounds) of methamphetamine in the Lincoln area between January of 2014 and December of 2017. In June of 2017, Elmshauser and his co-defendant, Shannon Gillispie, were stopped by Lincoln Police officers, and Gillispie was found to have a small amount of methamphetamine in her purse. In November of 2017, Elmshauser sold small amounts of methamphetamine to an undercover officer on two occasions.
Gillispie also pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and is scheduled for sentencing in May of 2019.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Juan Pablo Sanchez-Delgado Pleads Guilty to a Conspiracy to Harbor AliensRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Juan Pablo Sanchez-Delgado, 40, of Mexico, entered a plea of guilty today to conspiring to harbor aliens. The guilty plea was entered in Lincoln, Nebraska, before United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart. Sentencing was scheduled before Chief Judge John M. Gerrard on May 31, 2019, at 11 a.m. in Lincoln. Conspiring to harbor aliens, when done for financial gain, is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. As part of his plea agreement with the government, Sanchez-Delgado agreed to forfeit four residences in Las Vegas, Nevada, with more than $1,000,000 in equity. He will further forfeit bank accounts and cash totaling more than $178,000. The real estate and cash were proceeds of the harboring conspiracy.
Sanchez-Delgado admitted that between January 2015 and July 2017, he conspired with supervisors at multiple agricultural corporations to supply those companies with alien workers who were not authorized to work or remain in the United States. The corporations contracted with Sanchez-Delgado in an attempt to avoid criminal responsibilities for labor violations. Sanchez-Delgado, an alien himself, provided hundreds of illegal workers.
Sanchez-Delgado was paid by the companies. He also took money from the alien workforce by purporting to withhold state and federal employment taxes and converted this money to his own use. The aliens were also required to cash their paychecks at one of Sanchez-Delgado’s businesses and pay a $50 to $75 check cashing fee. Sanchez-Delgado generated approximately $5,648,519 through this scheme.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
California Man, Courier for Mexico-based Drug Trafficking Organization, Sentenced to Imprisonment for Fourteen YearsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that on March 1, 2019, United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced John F. Haller III to a term of imprisonment of 168 months, to be served in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Haller, 51, of Riverside, California, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
In July of 2017, Haller delivered approximately 50 pounds of methamphetamine on behalf of a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization to another defendant at a gas station in Gretna, Nebraska. The methamphetamine was intended for distribution in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area. One month later, in August of 2017, a Summit County, Utah, Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a pickup truck heading east toward Omaha on Interstate 15. Haller was a passenger in the truck. Officers searched the vehicle and recovered a garbage bag containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. At the time of the traffic stop, Haller claimed the methamphetamine and admitted he made additional trips and deliveries on behalf of the organization.
Haller was indicted federally in Utah and in Nebraska, but the Utah case was transferred to the District of Nebraska for disposition.
The case was primarily investigated by the Omaha Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations.
Two More Defendants Sentenced in Methamphetamine Trafficking InvestigationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that on February 25, 2019, Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp, sentenced Jasive Zamora-Carrillo to a term of imprisonment of 168 months, and Luis Tafoya to a term of imprisonment of 18 months. Zamora-Carrillo and Tafoya will serve their sentences in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Zamora-Carrillo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and use of facilities in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering. Ramon Penunuri-Noriega, another defendant in the case, was previously sentenced on January 14, 2019, to an equivalent term of imprisonment.
During the first few months of 2018, Zamora-Carrillo conspired with others to distribute multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine to customers throughout eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Luis Tafoya, a customer, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Tafoya drove with a fourth co-defendant from Lincoln, Nebraska, to a casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to obtain approximately four ounces of methamphetamine.
The case was primarily investigated by the Omaha Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Omaha Police Department, and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force.
California Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute MarijuanaRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that on February 26, 2019, Felice Michael Giorgetti, 39, of Huntington Beach, California, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana. Giorgetti pleaded guilty to that charge in November of 2018. Following the prison term, Giorgetti will serve three years on supervised release.
On January 10, 2018, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper stopped a rental truck driven by Giorgetti for traffic and equipment violations on eastbound I-80 in Seward County. Giorgetti, and his passenger, co-defendant Robert Rahon, gave conflicting travel stories, and Giorgetti denied consent to search. A Nebraska State Patrol dog indicated the odor of drugs coming from the truck. The truck was searched, and 17 boxes of marijuana weighing a total of approximately 526 pounds were found.
Rahon has also entered a guilty plea in connection with this case and is scheduled for sentencing in April.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Man and Woman Sentenced for Immigration Marriage FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Faisal Garba-Adenkunjo, 29, of the Republic of Benin, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to commit immigration fraud. The Honorable Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Garba to 6 months’ imprisonment and one year of supervised release after he serves his prison term.
Farangis Gafarova, 24, of Tajikistan, was also sentenced today by Senior Judge Smith Camp. Gafarova was sentenced to five years of probation for conspiracy to commit immigration fraud and for entering into a marriage to evade the immigration laws.
Gafarova met Garba sometime in 2013 when they both attended Metropolitan Community College. Gafarova was in the United States on an F-1 Student Visa. Sometime in 2014, Garba offered to find Gafarova a United States Citizen to marry to allow her to remain in the United States once her student visa expired. Gafarova agreed and Garba recruited a United States Citizen, Jeremiah Logan, to participate in the scheme. The three defendants agreed upon an amount which Gafarova would pay to Garba and to Logan. In January of 2015, Gafarova married Logan. Logan, with the assistance of Garba and Gafarova, filed immigration paperwork on behalf of Gafarova seeking to obtain legal permanent resident status for Gafarova. The Department of Homeland Security Investigations learned of the fraudulent scheme and conducted an investigation which ultimately led to the federal indictment of all three defendants.
Immigration proceedings will now begin for both Garba and Gafarova. Jeremiah Logan is awaiting sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Fraud Detection and National Security group.
Winnebago Man Sentenced as Habitual OffenderRead the Press Release
James Levering, 46, of Winnebago was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for domestic assault by a habitual offender. The Honorable Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Levering to 25 months’ imprisonment. After his release from prison, Levering will begin a three-year term of supervised release.
On April 22, 2018, on the Winnebago Indian Reservation, Levering struck his wife in the chest with a board. At the time of the assault Levering was the subject of no-contact orders protecting his wife from him. Prior to this assault, Levering had been convicted in South Dakota and Iowa of assaulting a domestic partner.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Winnebago Police Department.
Nebraska Man Sentenced for Passing and Uttering a Counterfeit Check of a Political SubdivisionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Joseph M. Calhoun, age 34, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for one count of Passing and Uttering a Counterfeit Check of a Political Subdivision. The Honorable Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Calhoun to five months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Calhoun will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Calhoun must pay $14,346 in restitution.
On January 11, 2018, co-conspirators printed three counterfeit checks payable to Calhoun. The counterfeit checks falsely indicated that they were from the Housing Authority of the City of North Platte. Calhoun traveled to banks in Lincoln and Omaha and cashed the checks. The three counterfeit checks totaled $14,346. After cashing the checks, Calhoun provided the money to the co-conspirators who had printed the checks. The co-conspirators paid Calhoun for cashing the counterfeit checks. In cashing the counterfeit checks, Calhoun intentionally defrauded the First National Bank and Trust of North Platte Nebraska.
The case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
February Grand JuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 29 indictments charging 36 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.
* Andres Barrera-Solis, age 46, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about January 15, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Thonny Escobar Castaneda, age 34, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about January 18, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Anahi Chan-Cruz, age 20, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with false representation of a social security number on or about July 22, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with fraud and misuse of visas and other documents on or about July 22, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges the defendant with false claim of citizenship on or about July 22, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 3 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Anthony James Hanel, age 29, of Orting, Washington, and Courtney Laparele Clark, age 32, of Arlington, Washington, are charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendants with illegal possession of device-making equipment on or about February 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Hanel with felon in possession on or about February 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges the defendants with possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number on or about February 5, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Christopher E. Collins, age 27, of Omaha, Marcus D. Evans, age 24, of Omaha, and Ervin L. Smith, Jr., age 23, of Omaha, are charged in a five-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendants with Robbery by force from an employee at Bucky’s Gas on or about January 1, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendants with brandishing a firearm on or about January 1, 2019. The possible penalty if convicted is 7 years’ to Life imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges the defendants with Robbery by force from an employee at Kwik Shop on or about January 1, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges the defendant with Robbery by force from an employee at Phillips 66 on or about January 1, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count V charges the defendants with discharging a firearm on or about January 1, 2019, during the Phillips 66 robbery. The possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ to Life imprisonment consecutive to the other sentence, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Sean Odean, age 35, of Kearney, Nebraska, and Sara Duncan, age 33, of Kearney, Nebraska, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on November, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Santiel Flores Trejo, age 29, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about February 3, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Kelmin Gonzalez-Mendoza, age 31, of Freemont, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with false representation of a social security number on or about December 18, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with fraud and misuse of visas and other documents on or about December 18, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges the defendant with false claim of citizenship on or about December 18, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 3 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Edgar Alberto Guerra Palomares, age 35, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about October 12, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal reentry after deportation on or about October 12, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Esteban Hirales-Murillo, age 48, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about January 17, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Max Kerkman, age 29, of Oakdale, Nebraska, is charged with unlawful user in possession of a firearm on or about June 20, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Mark H. King, age 56, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with receipt and distribution of child pornography on or about January 17, 201,9 through February 6. 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 5-years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of child pornography on February 6, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Christopher D. Longo, age 37, of Columbus, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with receipt and distribution of child pornography on or about April 23, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 5-years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of child pornography on or about November 1, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Michael Dean McCullar, age 47, of Dwight, Nebraska, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with production of child pornography on or about January 5, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 5-years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of child pornography on or about October 25, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 years Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of child pornography on or about November 29, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession of child pornography on or about October 25, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 years to Life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Cesar Medina, age 30, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about November 20, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Roberto Ochoa-Andrade, age 41, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about February 5, 2019, following an aggravated felony conviction. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Hannah Pauly, Dustin Pauly and Jose Santos-Zepeda, are charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, between on or about December 21, 2018 and January 11, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Hannah Pauly with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about January 11, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Santos-Zepeda with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about January 11, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Martell W. Runningshield, age 32, of Macy, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Counts I-III charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine on or about October 24, 2017 through July 11, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment on each count, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release each count, and a $100 special assessment each count.
* Adela Sabino Perez, age 20, and Ivan Ventura Sabino, age 42, are charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I charges Sabino Perez with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine between on or about June, 2018 and about October 29, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Sabino Perez with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about October 29, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Ventura Sabino with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about October 29, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Sabino Perez with illegal reentry after deportation on or about October 29, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Ramon Simpson, age 48, of Norfolk, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. In Counts I and II defendant is charged with false statement on or about November 8, 2018 continuing through November 21, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Linzy M. Swisher, age 23, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about November 19, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, NLT 10-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Dilson Villatoro, age 35, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about October 18, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is Life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, NLT 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Joseph Lloyd James, age 47, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Court I charges James with murder in Indian Country from on or about November 5, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is mandatory Life in prison, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges James with felony murder in Indian Country. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is mandatory Life in prison, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges James with kidnapping resulting in death. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is mandatory Life in prison or the death penalty, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges James with carjacking resulting in death. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to Life in prison or the death penalty, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment
* Luis Enrique Perez-Osuna, age 26, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation from on or about February 6, 20199. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Francisco Pelaez-Melo, age 54, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about February 12, 2019, following an aggravated felony conviction. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Justin Beall, age 36, of Omaha, is charged with interstate communications with intent to extort on or about November 27, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Mena-Valdez, age 35, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about October 30, 2018. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, 4-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges the defendant with use of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime on or about October 30, 2018. The possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ to Life imprisonment consecutive to the other sentence, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment..
* Timothy R. Cessor, age 27, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, is charged with threats against the President of the United States on or about February 4, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Steven McCain, age 38, of Omaha is charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition on or about January 15, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Omaha Man Convicted of Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Mark Ringland, age 53, was convicted Wednesday of receiving child pornography after a two-day jury trial in federal court. The Honorable Laurie Smith Camp was the presiding judge.
Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force received information in the spring of 2017, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, that a specific email address was receiving child pornography. The investigators were able to determine that it was Ringland’s email. He was contacted on September 1, 2017, and had a cell phone and iPad in his possession. The investigators seized both devices for which they had an authorized search warrant. Searches were done and investigators located more than 900 images of what they believed to be child pornography between the two devices. It was determined that at least one of the images was received by Ringland between April 1, 2017 and September 1, 2017.
Ringland faces not less than five years’ nor more than 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and when released from prison, a term of at least five years to life of supervised release. Sentencing has been set for June 3, 2019.
Former Employee Sentenced for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Jennifer A. Rosenblatt, 44, formerly of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, to 6 months in a residential re-entry center and 6 months of home confinement by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard, for wire fraud. Rosenblatt was also ordered to pay $106,604.22 in restitution and will serve 3 years on supervised release.
Between July, 2014, and October, 2016, Rosenblatt devised a scheme to defraud and to obtain money from the Jewish Federation of Lincoln. Between 2009 through June 2016, Rosenblatt served as the Treasurer of the Jewish Federation, and in that capacity, was authorized to sign checks and make electronic payments for the Jewish Federation. Rosenblatt did not have any authority to use funds for personal expenditures. However, during this time, Rosenblatt made online payments to her personal credit card accounts from funds in the Federation’s bank accounts. These payments were for personal items charged by Rosenblatt on her personal credit cards and not made for any business activities of Jewish Federation League.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Armed Credit Union RobberyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Thomas Woodard, 38, was sentenced today in Omaha, Nebraska, by United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for the crime of armed bank robbery. Judge Rossiter sentenced Woodard to 100 months’ imprisonment, a five-year term of supervised release, and ordered Woodard to make restitution in the amount of $27,278 to the SAC Credit Union.
On December 7, 2012, Woodard and co-defendant Joseph Lanckriet, robbed the SAC Federal Credit Union located at 219 S 23rd St. in Plattsmouth, NE and took $27,278 in credit union funds. The case went cold but ultimately Woodard and Lanckriet were apprehended in Sioux City, Iowa, in 2016, after they committed a robbery in that city in 2014.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Plattsmouth Police Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Nebraska Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Nebraska man pleaded guilty today to producing child pornography in 2016, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Kelly of the District of Nebraska.
Steven R. Carlson, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. of the District of Nebraska. Sentencing is set for May 10, 2019.
According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, in May 2016, Carlson filmed himself engaging in forcible, sexual acts with a 13-year-old, nonverbal minor child. A search warrant executed on Carlson’s residence resulted in the discovery of hundreds of images of child pornography involving minors as young as infants and toddlers.
The FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force is investigating this case. Trial Attorney William M. Grady of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Norris of the District of Nebraska are prosecuting the case.
This investigation is a 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.
Nebraska Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Nebraska man pleaded guilty today to producing child pornography in 2016, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Kelly of the District of Nebraska.
Steven R. Carlson, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr. of the District of Nebraska. Sentencing is set for May 10, 2019.
According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, in May 2016, Carlson filmed himself engaging in forcible, sexual acts with a 13-year-old, nonverbal minor child. A search warrant executed on Carlson’s residence resulted in the discovery of hundreds of images of child pornography involving minors as young as infants and toddlers.
The FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force is investigating this case. Trial Attorney William M. Grady of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Norris of the District of Nebraska are prosecuting the case.
This investigation is a 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.
District of Nebraska’s U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects $3,978,627.98 in Civil and Criminal Actions for U.S. Taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2018Read the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced today that the District of Nebraska collected $3,978,627.98 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2018. Of this amount, $1,836,812.43 was collected in criminal actions and $2,141,815.55 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, The District of Nebraska worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $39,694.06 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $8,094.06 was collected in criminal actions and $31,600.00 was collected in civil actions.
As a whole, the Justice Department collected nearly $15 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2018. The $14,839,821,650 in collections in FY 2018 represents nearly seven times the appropriated $2.13 billion ($2,136,750,000) budget for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices.
“Our criminal, civil and financial litigation units work tirelessly and are unheralded in their work to ensure civil and criminal debts owed to the United States and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims are collected,” said U.S. Attorney Joe Kelly.
“The men and women of the U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country work diligently, day in and day out, to see that the citizens of our nation receive justice. The money that we are able to recover for victims and this country as a whole is a direct result of their hard work,” Director James A. Crowell, IV, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys.
The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Internal Revenue Service, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Education.