District of Nebraska

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Justin Jelinek, 43, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was charged on October 29, 2025, by criminal complaint in Lincoln, Nebraska. Jelinek is charged with Assault on a Federal Task Force Officer with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon, Attempted Murder of a Federal Task Force Officer, Discharge of a Firearm During and Relation to a Crime of Violence, Receipt of Child Pornography, and Possession of Child Pornography. These charges carry penalties with a minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment to life.  Discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence carries with it a 10-year mandatory minimum imprisonment term and qualifies for up to life in prison.

The complaint alleges that on October 15, 2025, Jelinek fired upon Federal Task Force Officers with employed with the Nebraska State Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations when executing a judicially issued search warrant in relation to receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse materials.

The complaint alleges that Jelinek confronted the officers with a firearm when they entered his residence after he did not respond to knocking and officers’ commands. Jelinek is alleged to have fired one round from a high-powered rifle when negotiations with Jelinek to drop his weapon and end the confrontation peacefully and safely failed. Jelinek shot out the front door of the residence at 7 officers who were on or around on the front porch. One officer returned fire. Eventually, Jelinek surrendered and was arrested. The officers executed the search warrant and seized several electronic devices and performed a preliminary review for child sexual abuse materials. Law enforcement obtained additional search warrants while on site and seized firearms valued at approximately $100,000 and approximately 25,000 rounds of ammunition.

Jelinek appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Jacqueline M. DeLuca on October 30, 2025, for his initial appearance. A preliminary and detention hearing is scheduled for November 6, 2025, before Magistrate Judge DeLuca.

“This case underscores the extreme dangers our HSI agents and Task Force Officers face every day in the pursuit of justice and the protection of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge for HSI Kansas City Mark Zito. “Despite Jelinek’s continued disregard for anyone other than himself, our Task Force Officers remained steadfast in their mission to hold him accountable. HSI, in collaboration with our partners, will ensure that he faces the full weight of federal justice for his actions. We are grateful that our officers and task force members emerged from this incident unharmed, and we remain committed to safeguarding the public from those who threaten the safety and security of our communities.”

A Criminal Complaint is a charging document that contains one or more individual counts that are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Khyre Holbert, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, was charged by complaint for being a felon in possession of a firearm for his role in a shooting that occurred in Omaha, Nebraska on October 4, 2025.  In November, 2018, Holbert pled guilty to three violations of federal law and was sentenced to 240 months of imprisonment by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. Subsequent to his sentencing, on January 21, 2025, Holbert was granted clemency by former United States President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.  At the time, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska objected to the grant of clemency due to Holbert’s gang affiliation and significant criminal history, along with the nature of his criminal convictions in that case, which included possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.  Clemency was ordered over that objection.

A Criminal Complaint is a charging document that contains one or more individual counts that are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

An unsealed complaint affidavit was filed in conjunction with the charge that details Holbert’s criminal history, which is alleged to have disqualified Holbert from legally possessing a firearm on October 4, 2025, in the District of Nebraska.  Holbert had several criminal convictions related to illegal firearms possession prior to his grant of clemency and prior to his alleged possession of a firearm on October 4, 2025.

As the complaint alleges, the same firearm that Holbert possessed during the shooting is allegedly a match for the firearm that was used in multiple other violent gun offenses that were committed earlier this year in Nebraska.  The complaint alleges that Holbert attempted to dispose of the weapon, but it was recovered by law enforcement later.  Forensics technicians were allegedly able to identify Holbert’s fingerprints on the seized firearm from the October 4, 2025 shooting.  The firearm itself was loaded and equipped with a high-capacity magazine.

United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi said, “The Biden Administration’s last-minute commutations were not only a cruel blow to victims’ families, but also a fundamental failure to hold criminals accountable. This tragic case proves that crime must be met with consequences, not weakness. Our prosecutors in Nebraska are doing the job that the prior administration refused to do.”

United States Attorney Lesley Woods commends the tireless efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Omaha Police Department to investigate this incident and to collect the evidence necessary to take a dangerous felon like Khyre Holbert back off the streets of Omaha. Woods stated, “Khyre Holbert should never have been prematurely released from federal prison and been free to participate in this violence.  Omaha is safer with Mr. Holbert back in custody and off the streets.  The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska will fight to keep Mr. Holbert – and any other gang members who participate in similar violent acts –  in federal custody.”

Special Agent Eugene Kowel, leader of the Omaha Federal Bureau of Investigation field division stated, “Protecting the public from violent criminals remains a top priority of the FBI. Federal, state, and local law enforcement on the Omaha Safe Streets Task Force work tirelessly to apprehend violent gang members who terrorize our communities. We will continue working with our partners to crush violent crime and safeguard our neighborhoods from individuals like Khyre Holbert.”

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Latrell Knight, 20, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 25, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl analogue, distribution of fentanyl analogue, and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Knight to 120 months’ imprisonment on the conspiracy charge, 87 months’ imprisonment on the distribution charge to be served concurrently, and a consecutive 60-month term of imprisonment on the firearm charge, for a total sentence of 180 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After Knight’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. 

In 2024, Federal Bureau of Investigations determined that associates and co-conspirators Latrell Knight and Dale Jackson were receiving “M-30” pills from a common drug supplier and selling them. “M-30” pills are frequently counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and analogues of fentanyl.

Between April 17, 2024, through September 10, 2024, Knight and Jackson sold a confidential source (CS) M-30 pills. These transactions would occur outside of Knight’s residence and at a Casey’s gas station near 72nd and Grover streets in Omaha. Knight and Jackson would sell together and separately. In addition to the pills, Knight sold a DB9 9mm handgun to the CS during a drug deal on May 6 and a Glock 17 9mm handgun to the CS on July 11. In total about 1,616 M-30 pills were sold to the CS as part of the conspiracy.

Both were arrested on January 23, 2025.

Knight’s co-conspirator, Jackson, pleaded guilty to distribution and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl analogue.  He was sentenced on August 15, 2025, to 120 months’ imprisonment on the conspiracy charge and 70 months’ imprisonment on the distribution charge, both sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

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

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned an Indictment charging Hobert Rupe, 58, and Brent Zywiec, 45, both of Lincoln, Nebraska, with offenses related to honest services fraud. Rupe and Zywiec were arrested on September 24, 2025.

Rupe, former Executive Director of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, and Zywiec, a partial owner of “The Office Gentleman’s Club” and “The Night Before Lounge” in Lincoln, are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Fraud and three counts of Honest Services Fraud. Additionally, Rupe is charged with two counts of Wire Fraud, and one count of Hobbs Act Extortion Under Color of Official Right. The alleged conspiracy occurred between on or about January 1, 2022, and May 28, 2025. The maximum possible penalty for each of the charges is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100 for each count.

Rupe is alleged to have violated his oath of office as the Executive Director of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission when he allegedly conspired with establishments’ owners to include Zywiec to receive a stream of significant personal and financial benefits in exchange for illegal assistance he provided the owners of the establishments. The alleged stream of benefits included commercial sex acts, cash, and free benefits at the clubs that others pay to receive such as VIP dances, alcoholic drinks, and cover charges.  In exchange for these benefits, Rupe would fail to report or investigate numerous liquor license violations that occurred at each establishment and would separately abuse law enforcement resources in an attempt to harm Zywiec’s competitors in Omaha.

Rupe is additionally charged with failing to disclose these benefits on his state accountability forms.

Finally, there is a count of the Indictment that alleges Rupe extorted a business owner in the community for $65,000 with the understanding that Rupe would provide assistance with helping that business owner retain a liquor license that the business owner would not otherwise qualify for under state rules and regulations.

United States Lesley Woods stated, “Public corruption undermines the trust of all Nebraskans in their officials.  The citizens of Nebraska are the primary victims of this case.  The Executive Director of the Liquor Control Commission should be the official who polices establishments like the ones identified in the Indictment for the benefit of public safety.  Furthermore, allowing individuals who should not have liquor licenses to obtain or retain those licenses is a dangerous abuse of power. There are good public safety reasons for many of the rules that govern liquor licenses, and the Executive Director of the Liquor Control Commission should serve as the public guardian against those threats to public safety, not be the enabler of them.  Mr. Rupe is alleged to have violated that trust and allowed himself to be unlawfully influenced in the execution of those duties. This investigation was a joint effort with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Office is grateful to those partners for their tireless efforts on this critical investigation.”

Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Joya M. Kinney, 45, of Bellevue, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 24, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for one count of embezzlement from an organization that received federal benefits. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Kinney to 9 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Kinney’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Kinney was additionally ordered to pay $495,652.13 in restitution.

From 2014 until her termination in May 2023, Kinney was the bookkeeper for an incorporated private school located in Nebraska. This school received a Paycheck Protection Program loan in the amount of approximately $302,500 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. As the bookkeeper for the school, Kinney was responsible for handling funds and making financial entries into the school’s accounting system.

In May of 2023, an outside auditor reported inconsistencies in the school’s accounting records. When confronted, Kinney admitted to school staff that she had conducted four $10,000 cash withdrawals the auditor identified, which were not authorized by the school. Kinney was then terminated from her position.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted an investigation and found additional financial losses at the school. Specifically, records and other evidence gathered by the FBI showed that between March 2016 to May 2023, Kinney embezzled approximately $452,176 from school funds, which included taking cash, using school funds to pay her personal credit card, making unauthorized purchases charged to the school, and receiving unauthorized checks.

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Micah J. Cornell, 27, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 17, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for one count of transportation of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Cornell to 97 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Cornell’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Cornell was additionally ordered to pay $6,000 which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of cases.

The investigation of this case began with a CyberTip received in November 2023.  The CyberTip included one child pornography file which was uploaded to an online platform.  A search warrant was executed on that account which revealed approximately 150 child pornography videos, including videos of prepubescent children with ages varying from infant to twelve years of age.

After further investigation, a search warrant was executed at Cornell’s residence on June 5, 2024. During the execution of the search warrant, investigators seized Cornell’s devices and Cornell was interviewed. Cornell admitted he was the owner of the subject email address and account.  Upon a review of Cornell’s cellphone, 77 image files and 33 videos containing child pornography were located by law enforcement on that device.

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

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned nine unsealed Indictments charging 10 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.

Dylan Piche, age 24, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Piche with receipt and distribution of child pornography beginning on or between November 10, 2023, and June 10, 2024.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Piche with possession of child pornography on or between July 29, 2024, and July 30, 2024.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.         

Thomas Leone Henry, age 37, of Williams, Arizona, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl on or about May 30, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.

Jennifer Suing, age 48, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or between February 10, 2025, and March 2, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 25 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, not less than a 10-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Lloyd A. Nelson Jr., age 70, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with theft of government funds between on or about March 15, 2022, and September 16, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Mallory M. Chartraw, age 40, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Maria K. Siemsen, age 41, of Lincoln, Nebraska, are charged in a five-count Indictment. Count I charges Chartraw and Siemsen with conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl beginning on or about February 1, 2022, and continuing to on or about April 8, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Chartraw and Siemsen with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl between or about April 7, 2025, and continuing to on or about April 8, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Siemsen with distribution of fentanyl on or about March 14, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Siemsen with distribution of fentanyl on or about March 27, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count V charges Siemsen with distribution of fentanyl on or about April 1, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

Charles Aldrich, age 18, of Macy, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Aldrich with assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm on or about August 25, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Aldrich with use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence on or about August 25, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Travis M. Knipp, age 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with escape from custody on or about August 16, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment   

Salih M. Samin Totakhil, age 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with international parental kidnapping between on or about March 19, 2022, to June 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 3 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment 

Carlos Hernandez Moreno, age 21, of Kearney, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Hernandez Moreno with bank burglary from on or about August 16, 2025, continuing through on or about August 17, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Hernandez Moreno with damage of protected computer from on or about August 16, 2025, continuing through on or about August 17, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Jordan Vaughn, 34, of Scribner, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 11, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for two counts of production of child pornography.  United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Vaughn to 360 months on each count of conviction and ordered the sentences to run consecutively to one another, for a total of 720 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Vaughn is released from prison, he will begin a life term of supervised release.

The case began when it was discovered Vaughn had been sending images of his genitals to a minor child. Further investigation identified that Vaughn was sexually abusing multiple young children, aged 12 and younger, and preserving digital evidence of the assaults.  Vaughn would additionally sexually assault one or more of his victims while the victims were asleep.  A search of Vaughn’s phone located a large amount of child pornography in addition to evidence of production of child pornography. Vaughn worked at the Winnebago Police Department in Winnebago, Nebraska in late 2024 and early 2025 but was terminated over the instant offenses.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods said in response to the conviction and judgment: “The successful investigation and prosecution of this egregious child sex offender not only ended the living nightmares of each vulnerable victim he targeted but also stripped this predator of his police badge and prevented him from carrying a weapon on the Winnebago reservation and having access to more children in the line of duty.  The just and appropriate sentence in this case fits the outrageousness and depravity of the unthinkable crimes committed against these innocent children.”

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

This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department in conjunction with the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Clifford Wright III, 36, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 10, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Wright to a total of 197 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Wright’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Chief Judge Rossiter also sentenced Wright to a consecutive 23 months’ imprisonment for violating his supervised release from a 2021 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

A jury convicted Wright of the three charges on June 6, 2025, after a seven-day trial. The evidence at trial established Wright, a documented member of the 29th Street Bloods in Omaha, who was observed on surveillance footage at a crowded gas station in north Omaha on October 31, 2022, making apparent hand-to-hand drug transactions from his vehicle. Shots erupted toward the crowded parking lot from across the street and Wright exited his vehicle holding a handgun, but his handgun appeared to malfunction or not fire.

Omaha police identified Wright based upon prior investigations and their knowledge of Wright as a gang member. Wright has two prior convictions in federal court for illegal firearm possession, including the conviction for which he was on supervised release at the time.

Wright was arrested on November 2, 2022. A search of a safe belonging to Wright pursuant to a warrant uncovered approximately 850 fentanyl pills and three loaded handguns, including a 9mm handgun that was visually consistent with the handgun Wright tried to fire at the gas station on October 31, 2022. The 9mm was the only handgun from the safe that had a round in the chamber. Two of the handguns had been reported stolen, including one stolen from the inventory of a federal firearms licensee in Omaha during a burglary.

Review of extracted data from Wright’s cell phone showed that he had been dealing drugs dating back to February 2022, the month after he was most recently released from federal prison. Wright appeared to also be selling cocaine, ecstasy pills, and marijuana, based upon his text messages.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department. An agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also testified as a firearms expert at trial. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Michael W. Stroble, 32, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 11, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln for one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Stroble to 138 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Stroble’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

Between July 2022 and February 2023, Joey Romero, Jamie Hopkins, Michael Stroble, Luke Schwartz, and others conspired to sell methamphetamine in and around North Platte.  The group was responsible for the distribution of pounds of methamphetamine and was subject to multiple controlled buys, search warrants, and arrests.

By January 2023, Stroble and Hopkins were dating, living together, and selling methamphetamine together. On January 17, 2023, a controlled buy of 48 grams of methamphetamine from Schwartz and Stroble occurred less than half a mile from Hopkin’s home.  On January 30, 2023, another controlled buy of 36 grams of methamphetamine from Hopkins and Stroble occurred at Hopkins’s home.

A search warrant was served on Hopkins’s residence in North Platte on February 7, 2023.  During the search, law enforcement found multiple baggies of methamphetamine to include on a nightstand, a bed, Hopkins’s purse, on the floor, and in the toilet.  Law enforcement also found two bongs, 29 pills, owe notes, three scales, spoons with residue, 224 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a box of Winchester .380 ammunition with 23 rounds in it, and empty baggies in the house.

Stroble’s co-defendants were sentenced in 2024. Schwartz was sentenced on September 5, 2024, to 120 months’ imprisonment; Hopkins was sentenced on October 17, 2024, to 120 months’ imprisonment; and Romero was sentenced on December 12, 2024, to 120 months’ imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the CODE Task Force which is made up of law enforcement agencies throughout a 22-county area in west-central/southwest Nebraska and includes the North Platte Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Ogallala Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Mark Cooper, 73, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 11, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for violating the Lacey Act. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Cooper to two years’ probation, a $5,000 fine, and $15,000 restitution. In addition to the sentence imposed, Cooper abandoned a 5 X 5 mule deer taxidermy mount originating from the illegal 2019 mule deer hunt associated with the conviction, three additional mule deer taxidermy mounts and antler sets, and several white-tailed deer antlers.  Judge Bazis also ordered that Cooper shall not hunt, fish, trap, guide, outfit, or otherwise associate or be in the field with anyone engaged in those activities for a period of two years.

Enacted 125 years ago, the Lacey Act protects the nation’s wildlife resources by prohibiting wildlife violations that cross state or international borders. A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division determined that Dustin Noble operated a big game guiding and outfitting business from his North Platte residence and provided illegal hunting and guiding services to paying clients, family, and other associates, many from outside the state of Nebraska, between 2015 and 2021. Noble also operated a commercial taxidermy business providing services of converting hides, skins, antlers, and other trophy parts of wildlife into taxidermy mounts. Some of Noble’s taxidermy clients included hunters unlawfully guided by Noble.  During those hunts Noble’s friends, associates and clients agreed with Noble to violate Nebraska hunting laws to take wildlife including mule deer and wild turkeys.

The investigation determined that on numerous occasions Cooper, a close associate of Noble, hunted with and on various occasions accompanied Noble while providing guiding services to hunting clients, and assisted Noble transporting raw hides for the Noble Outdoors taxidermy business. On October 31, 2019, Cooper illegally killed an approximately 172-inch 5 X 5 mule deer during the archery deer season in Lincoln County, Nebraska, while accompanied by Noble and two Noble Outdoors clients.  Cooper killed the mule deer from a seated position within Noble’s pickup while parked on a public roadway with a center-fire rifle.  Under Nebraska state law, hunters are prohibited from possessing firearms or using firearms to hunt deer during the archery season and from shooting from or over a roadway.  On November 7, 2019, Cooper delivered a shipment of raw wildlife skins on behalf of Noble Outdoors to a commercial carrier.  Cooper delivered the shipment containing numerous wildlife skins knowing the shipment was destined for a fur dressing company in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and knowing it contained illegally taken wildlife including at least Cooper’s 172-inch mule deer and another trophy-sized mule deer Cooper knew was taken illegally by Noble on October 28, 2019.

The investigation substantiated 114 unlawful hunts conducted and provided by Noble during the course of the conspiracy. Noble’s unlawful activities primarily targeted trophy-sized mule deer, including early season mule deer in velvet antlers. As revealed by extensive evidence obtained during this investigation, Noble’s illegal hunts included the taking of more than 12 species of wildlife, including most notably: 61 mule deer, 33 wild turkeys, 4 pronghorn, 3 white-tailed deer, an American alligator, a timber rattlesnake, and approximately 12 upland game birds, migratory non-game birds, game fish, and furbearing or non-game animals.

This sentencing completes the final prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by Dustin Noble and Noble Outdoors associates and clients between 2015 and 2021. Twenty defendants have been collectively sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment, 15 years’ probation, 32 years’ hunt/fish/trap restrictions, and ordered to pay more than $275,000 in fines and restitution for state and federal convictions related to this case. The investigation included the seizure and subsequent forfeiture or abandonment of more than 50 trophy wildlife antlers or taxidermy mounts from 27 Noble Outdoors clients or associates.

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Reyes Ernesto Garcia-Urquizo, 38, of Broken Bow, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 11, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for Conspiracy to Distribute 500 grams or more of Methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Garcia-Urquizo to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Garcia-Urquizo’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. However, he is also subject to immigration proceedings and faces deportation, having previously been found to be illegally in the United States.

In late 2023, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents and investigators with the CODE Drug Task Force discovered information about a subject picking up methamphetamine “in the middle of nowhere” and that the source of this methamphetamine was a Hispanic male in his late 30s or early 40s located in Broken Bow. In early 2024, CODE investigators would receive an anonymous tip that two Dawson County residents were distributing large amounts of methamphetamine that they received from a source located in Broken Bow.

CODE investigators began investigating the Dawson County subjects and observed that they were frequently leaving town in their vehicles and then returning and going to residences in Lexington that belonged to known drug users or areas of reported drug activity.

CODE then began conducting controlled buys. During one buy, the target advised he did not have methamphetamine with him and would be traveling to Broken Bow to get more. Investigators were able to conduct surveillance and ultimately identified Garcia-Urquizo as the likely source in Broken Bow. Through law enforcement investigation, the CODE investigators learned that an associate of Garcia-Urquizo would contact him and then meet up with Garcia-Urquizo at a rural intersection before returning to their respective places.

Investigators learned Garcia-Urquizo’s source and found he traveled to a specific location in Colorado to pick up his methamphetamine at a known drop location for methamphetamine brought directly from Mexico.             

These cases were investigated by the CODE Task Force which is made up of law enforcement agencies throughout a 22-county area in west-central/southwest Nebraska and includes federal partners with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, North Platte Police Department, Lexington Police Department, and Army National Guard Counter Drug Unit.

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Arthur Marr, Sr., 48, of Walthill, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 8, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Marr to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Marr’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

In October 2024, Marr assaulted a man on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation, repeatedly striking the victim and causing serious bodily injury, including broken bones and internal damage. Marr’s assault caused the victim to be hospitalized for two days, during which time Marr messaged the victim and threatened to come to the hospital and assault the victim again.

This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offense was a felony and occurred on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation in Nebraska.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Jonathan Ayer, 25, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 5, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for bank fraud. Chief Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Ayer to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ayer’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. Additionally, Chief Judge Rossiter ordered Ayer to pay $6,406.89 in restitution.

On January 31, 2023, a United States Postal Service (USPS) mail delivery man was delivering mail in a neighborhood near North 25th and Crown Point avenues in Omaha when he was robbed at gunpoint. The armed robbers demanded his arrow key and were able to obtain it. An arrow key is like a mastery key, allowing the holder to gain access to secure publicly accessible USPS drop boxes, such as blue collection boxes. U.S. Postal Inspectors canvassed the area of the robbery and obtained surveillance video from several neighboring homes, which captured a black sedan that appeared to be following the mail carrier on his route. Footage identified the black sedan leaving the area at an accelerated speed around the time of the robbery. No suspects were immediately identified, but the investigation into the robbery continued.

In April 2023, a victim placed two checks in the blue collection box at the Florence Post Office in Omaha. In May 2023, the victim checked his bank account and saw that one of the checks, originally made out to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), had cleared his bank account. The check was originally made out to the IRS in the amount of $15,171. The image of the deposited check had been altered. The victim indicated the writing on the check was all fraudulent and the only thing that was the same was his signature. The victim reported another check was attempted to be cashed; however, the payment was declined by the bank as a stop payment was placed on the check. The check was in the amount of $10,913 and written out to the Nebraska Department of Revenue. The attempted cashing showed the check was altered and the payee was also changed.

In May 2023, a U.S. Postal Inspector had contact with the Florence Post Office. The clerk indicated they believed they were having issues with an arrow key being used at the location as the volume of mail picked up from the blue collection box outside the Post Office was lower than normal.

Investigation into the bank fraud ultimately identified two addresses in Omaha of interest, which were neighboring homes. The investigation also revealed two possible suspects who were captured on surveillance video cashing checks at ATMs and in Walmart stores. One of the suspects drove a black sedan. Investigation ultimately revealed Jonathan Ayer and Ronnie Colvin, III were suspects in both the robbery and bank fraud.

A search and arrest warrant were simultaneously executed on both Ayer and Colvin in the early morning hours of December 7, 2023. Colvin was pulled over in a vehicle away from the home. Subsequent searches revealed thousands of checks, stolen mail matter and firearms. Colvin was charged with the firearm, robbery, and bank fraud offense. Ayer was charged with bank fraud.

This scheme involved obtaining legitimate checks from the mail and altering the original payee and amount of the check, replacing it with names and identities of individuals whose banking account information Ayer and Colvin had access. Ayer and Colvin would pass the fraudulent checks, obtaining cash. As a result of this scheme, the intended loss amount was over $4.4 million, and the actual loss was more than $200,000.

Colvin was sentenced on August 14, 2025, to a total of 126 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, assaulting a USPS mail carrier, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Miguel Angel Rodriguez Ramirez, 40, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 3, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for transportation of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Rodriguez Ramirez to 150 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Rodriguez Ramirez’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On May 1, 2024, Google LLC made a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicating a Google user uploaded 13 videos depicting child pornography. The IP address associated with the CyberTip resolved to an Omaha residence where Rodriguez Ramirez resided. A Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation obtained a search warrant for Rodriguez Ramirez’s Google account and, in reviewing the Google account’s contents, confirmed Rodriguez Ramirez uploaded the videos referenced in the CyberTip to his Google Drive in March 2024.  On August 8, 2024, the FBI executed a residential search warrant at Rodriguez Ramirez’s Omaha residence.  Agents seized his iPhone and several electronic devices from within the residence. Rodriguez Ramirez informed agents he received the child pornography videos from a link someone sent him via Telegram and then uploaded the images to his Google Drive.

Agents forensically extracted and analyzed Rodriguez Ramirez’s electronic devices.  The content of Rodriguez Ramirez’s Google account and his device extractions revealed he possessed at least 270 child pornography image files and 13 child pornography video files.  The files included pornographic images and videos depicting prepubescent children, including an infant, and contained masochistic 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 the the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Dustin Noble, 46, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 4, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for Conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Noble to 22 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Noble’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Noble was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $179,680. Pursuant to the terms of a plea agreement, Noble forfeited multiple unlawfully taken wildlife taxidermy mounts, two crossbows, and several firearms. The Court also ordered that Noble shall not hunt, fish, trap, guide, outfit, or otherwise associate or be in the field with anyone engaged in those activities for 25 years, and shall not conduct, assist, or associate with any fish or wildlife taxidermy activities or be present, or assist with taxidermy services for 10 years.

Enacted 125 years ago, the Lacey Act protects the nation’s wildlife resources by prohibiting wildlife violations that cross state or international borders. A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division determined that Noble provided illegal hunting and guiding services to paying clients, family, and other associates, many from outside the state of Nebraska, between 2015 and 2021, while operating Noble Outdoors, a big game guiding business in North Platte. Noble also operated a commercial taxidermy business providing services of converting hides, skins, antlers, and other trophy parts of wildlife into taxidermy mounts. Some of Noble’s taxidermy clients included hunters unlawfully guided by Noble.

The investigation determined Noble charged paying clients $1,200 to $4,000 depending upon the target species and conducted the guided hunts in at least Lincoln, Hayes, and Frontier counties in Nebraska. During those hunts Noble’s friends, associates and/or clients agreed with Noble to violate Nebraska hunting laws to take wildlife including mule deer and wild turkeys. Noble employed various tactics and unlawful methods to increase the probability of locating, killing, and acquiring trophy wildlife including using specialized hunting equipment comprised of firearm sound suppressors and thermal optics; taking wildlife from upon or close to the road; taking wildlife during night-time or closed season hours; and hunting upon privately owned properties without the knowledge or permission of the landowner. Under Nebraska state law, hunters are prohibited from possessing firearms or using firearms to hunt deer during the archery season, are prohibited from shooting from or over a roadway, are authorized to hunt only during the legal shooting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, and must have landowner permission to hunt on private property.

The investigation substantiated 114 unlawful hunts conducted by Noble during the course of the conspiracy with the vast majority occurring between 2018 and 2020. Noble’s unlawful activities primarily targeted trophy-sized mule deer, including early season mule deer in velvet antlers. As revealed by extensive evidence obtained during this investigation, Noble’s illegal hunts included the taking of more than 12 species of wildlife, including most notably: 61 mule deer, 33 wild turkeys, 4 pronghorn, 3 white-tailed deer, an American alligator, a timber rattlesnake, and approximately 12 upland game birds, migratory non-game birds, game fish, and furbearing or non-game animals.

Prior to his conduct in this case, Noble was subject to a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission investigation and was charged with 71 counts. He was ultimately convicted on 10 counts in Dawson County Court, Nebraska, in February 2014. As part of his sentencing, he was subject to a 10-year hunting, fishing, and trapping revocation in the State of Nebraska. The current state/federal investigation revealed extensive and ongoing hunting violations committed, aided, and directed by Noble while his hunting privileges were revoked from his prior state conviction.

Today’s sentencing marks the near conclusion of the ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by Noble Outdoors and its owner, associates, and clients between 2015 and 2021. To date, 19 defendants have been sentenced and ordered to pay a more than $255,000 in fines and restitution for state and federal violations related to the interstate transport of unlawfully taken wildlife. The investigation included the seizure and subsequent forfeiture or abandonment of more than 50 trophy wildlife antlers or taxidermy mounts from 27 Noble Outdoors clients or associates.

United States Attorney Woods said, “This case demonstrates what state and federal law enforcement can accomplish when they join forces and unite in a common pursuit of justice.  Wildlife resources should be fairly preserved for the enjoyment of all Nebraskans – both present and future.  Noble’s destructive tactics and actions targeted Nebraska’s mule deer populations in a manner that jeopardized the ability of Nebraskans to continue to enjoy a lawful hunting experience in the future.  The United States Attorney’s Office is proud to join with our partners at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to ensure that Nebraska’s resources are protected and available to all its citizens equally.”

“This case is a powerful example of the continued collaboration between Nebraska Game and Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect our state’s wildlife resources,” said Colonel Jeff Clauson, Chief of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division. “Mr. Noble’s unscrupulous tactics targeting mature mule deer bucks for himself and paying clients or associates jeopardized herd health, strong genetics, breeding success, long-term population growth, and effectively stripped away seasons’ worth of hunting opportunity for the public and law-abiding hunting community. Holding wildlife violators accountable like those involved in this case, who demonstrate blatant disregard for game laws, is vital to conserving our state’s wildlife resources and preserving hunting opportunities Nebraskans cherish.”

“This outcome reflects our strong commitment to working with partner law enforcement and wildlife management agencies to protect our Nation’s vital natural resources,” said Assistant Director Doug Ault, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement.  “The defendants demonstrated blatant disregard for the law and caused lasting harm to Nebraska’s mule deer populations.  We remain steadfast in pursuing and apprehending those who profit from the illegal exploitation of our natural resources while undermining the legacy of ethical hunting.” 

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Nathaniel Lee Stephenson, 28, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 4, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual (pure). United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Stephenson to 140 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Stephenson’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On June 13, 2024, Stephenson sold 83 ½ grams, (approximately three ounces), of methamphetamine to an undercover Lincoln Police Department officer for $1,000 in Lincoln.  Purity testing at the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab showed the methamphetamine was at least 93% pure.

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that on August 28, 2025, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict against Jeron Morris, 33, of Omaha, Nebraska, for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The verdict followed a two-day trial in front of United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher. Before trial, Morris pleaded guilty to three other charges – conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Buescher scheduled sentencing for December 3, 2025. Morris faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment.

Evidence at trial established that a Federal Bureau of Investigation task force identified a residence in Omaha that was suspected of being a stash location for drugs, including fentanyl pills. During the investigation, Morris was identified as living in the residence. On May 17, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at the residence. In an upstairs bedroom, they found two loaded Canik 9mm handguns and more than $1,000 in cash on a bed. The items had been dumped out of a drawer of a bedside chest of drawers. In a closet of that bedroom, investigators recovered a heat-sealed package of approximately 993 fentanyl pills. Morris was arrested during a traffic stop nearby and found to have a baggie containing another 87 fentanyl pills. During a post-Miranda interview, Morris admitted the drugs and guns were his, describing the guns by caliber, color, and attachments.

Morris faces enhanced statutory penalties because of prior convictions for Bank Robbery and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.

Co-defendant Kadonta Muldrew, 31, of Omaha pleaded guilty to three charges – conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl pills, possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl pills, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Muldrew faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment.  Muldrew’s sentencing is scheduled for November 19, 2025.

As part of the investigation, more than $135,000 in cash was seized. That money will be forfeited to the United States as proceeds of drug dealing.

Omaha FBI Field Office Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “FBI Omaha and our partners are laser-focused on crushing violent crime and stopping the flow of drugs into our communities. The guilty verdict of Jeron Morris is a testament to our shared mission of safeguarding our neighborhoods and ensuring people’s right to live without the threat of violence. In this case, Morris was previously sentenced for brandishing a firearm during a bank robbery. He resumed his criminal activities within months of his release from federal prison. FBI Omaha will continue to surge resources as part of Operation Summer Heat, a nationwide initiative to address violent crime in our country.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Omaha Police Department with assistance from the Council Bluffs Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, Papillion Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Iowa State Patrol. A sergeant from the Lincoln Police Department testified at trial as an expert in drug trafficking. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Joshua M. Meyer, 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 22, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for distribution of child pornography with a prior conviction. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Meyer to 250 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Meyer’s release from prison, he will begin a 20-year term of supervised release.  Meyer was also ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution to each of the six identified victims.

On August 18, 2023, Medialab/KIK (KIK) made a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicating a KIK user uploaded files depicting child pornography between June 27, 2023, and July 17, 2023. The IP address associated with the CyberTip resolved to an Omaha residence belonging to Meyer. A member of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force obtained a search warrant for Meyer’s KIK account and, in reviewing the KIK account’s contents, learned Meyer sent the child pornography files reported in the CyberTip to other KIK users between June 27, 2023, and July 17, 2023.  During the investigation, KIK made three additional reports to NCMEC regarding users sharing child pornography on the social media application.  The IP addresses associated with these reports also resolved to Meyer’s residence.

During an interview, Meyer admitted to using the various KIK accounts reported to NCMEC to send child pornography to other KIK users and receive child pornography from other KIK users. Meyer is a registered sex offender. On February 6, 2014, Meyer was convicted of receipt and distribution of child pornography in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska.  Meyer was serving a 120-month supervised release term when he distributed child pornography in June and July 2023.  Meyer acknowledged possessing a TracFone to circumvent restrictions placed on his known cell phone as part of supervised release.  Meyer used this TracFone to access KIK and distribute child pornography.   

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

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Lucas J. Lacy, 40, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 20, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for Accessing with Intent to View Visual Depictions of Minors Engaging in Sexually Explicit Conduct. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Lacy to 10 years’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Lacy’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

Lacy was sentenced on February 2, 2009, in the District of Nebraska for Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography. He received a sentence of 60 months’ imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release. On July 16, 2018, Lacy was sentenced in the District of Nebraska for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release.

On November 22, 2021, the United States Probation Office conducted a search of Lacy’s residence in Omaha. The search recovered two unauthorized cellphones. One of the phones held at least one image of child pornography. Further analysis of the phone revealed at least 16 internet search terms indicative of child pornography.

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

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Vincent James Foster, 27, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 21, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine along with unspecified amounts of marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols and for being a felon in possession of eight firearms. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Foster to 120 months’ imprisonment on each count to run concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After Foster’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release. Foster will also forfeit $5,597.00 in U.S. currency to the United States of America.

Information obtained by law enforcement indicated Foster was involved in the sale of cocaine, marijuana, and tetrahydrocannabinols in the Lincoln area between April 11, 2021, and August 10, 2023.  On August 10, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant at Foster’s Lincoln residence.  During that search, they found more than 828 grams of cocaine, 1.8 kilograms of marijuana, 86 1-gram THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) concentrate containers, and other evidence of drug distribution.  A total of $5,597.00 in U.S. currency was seized from Foster’s car and his residence.

Investigators also found eight handguns with magazines and ammunition.  Two of the guns were found to be stolen.  Foster was prohibited from possessing firearms due to two prior felony convictions in Lancaster County District Court for burglary in 2017 and possession of a controlled substance in 2021.

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

Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 10 unsealed Indictments charging 14 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.

Anthony Masquat, age 20, of Winnebago, Nebraska, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm on or about April 5, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.         

Lawrence Smith, age 31, of Lyons, Nebraska, is charged with failing to register as a sex offender from on or about February 27, 2025, to on or about June 15, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.

Kalam K. Yiel, age 24, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about August 9, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Ketankumar Chaudhari, age 36, of Elkhorn, Nebraska; Rashmi Samani, age 42, of Elkhorn, Nebraska; Amit P. Chaudhari, age 32, of Omaha, Nebraska; Amit B. Chaudhari, age 33, Omaha, Nebraska; and Maheshkumar Chaudhari, age 38, of Norfolk, Nebraska, are charged in a 24-count Indictment. Count I charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, Amit P. Chaudhari, and Amit B. Chaudhari with sex trafficking of a minor and by force, fraud or coercion beginning on an unknown date, but from at least on or about February 1, 2022, and continuing through on or about June 27, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, Amit P. Chaudhari, and Amit B. Chaudhari with sex trafficking of a minor and by force, fraud or coercion beginning on an unknown date, but from at least on or about December 16, 2024, and continuing through on or about January 7, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, Amit P. Chaudhari, and Amit B. Chaudhari with sex trafficking of a minor and by force, fraud or coercion beginning on an unknown date, but from at least on or about December 16, 2024, and continuing through on or about January 7, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, Amit P. Chaudhari, and Amit B. Chaudhari with maintaining a drug premises between on or about January 1, 2021, and August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count V charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, Amit P. Chaudhari, and Amit B. Chaudhari with maintaining a drug premises between on or about April 9, 2021, and August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count VI charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, Amit P. Chaudhari, and Amit B. Chaudhari with maintaining a drug premises between on or about March 9, 2023, and August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count VII charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, Amit P. Chaudhari, and Amit B. Chaudhari with maintaining a drug premises between June 15, 2023, and August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count VIII charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, Amit P. Chaudhari, Amit B. Chaudhari, and Maheshkumar Chaudhari with conspiracy to commit labor trafficking by peonage between on or about January 1, 2022, and August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IX charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, Amit P. Chaudhari, Amit B. Chaudhari and Maheshkumar Chaudhari with conspiracy to commit labor trafficking by peonage between on or about January 1, 2022, and August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count X charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, Amit P. Chaudhari, and Amit B. Chaudhari with conspiracy to commit labor trafficking by peonage between on or about June 1, 2025, and August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count XI charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, Amit P. Chaudhari, Amit B. Chaudhari and Maheshkumar Chaudhari with conspiracy to harbor aliens beginning on an unknown date, but from at least on or about January 1, 2021, and continuing through on or about August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count XII charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, and Amit P. Chaudhari with harboring aliens beginning on or about June 15, 2025, through on or about August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count XII charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, and Amit P. Chaudhari with harboring aliens beginning on or about June 15, 2025, through on or about August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count XIII charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, and Amit P. Chaudhari with harboring aliens between on or about June 15, 2025, through on or about August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count XIV charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, and Amit P. Chaudhari with harboring aliens between on or about June 15, 2025, through on or about August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count XV charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, and Amit P. Chaudhari with harboring aliens between on or about June 15, 2025, through on or about August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count XVI charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, and Amit P. Chaudhari with harboring aliens between on or about February 28, 2022, through on or about August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count XVII charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, and Amit P. Chaudhari with harboring aliens between on or about January 1, 2025, through on or about August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count XVIII charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, and Amit P. Chaudhari with harboring aliens between on or about July 4, 2025, through on or about August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IXX charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, and Amit P. Chaudhari with transporting aliens between on or about June 15, 2025, through on or about June 20, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count XX charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, and Amit P. Chaudhari with transporting aliens between on or about June 15, 2025, through on or about June 20, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count XXI charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, and Amit P. Chaudhari with transporting aliens between on or about June 15, 2025, through on or about June 20, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count XXII charges Ketankumar Chaudhari, Rashmi Samani, and Amit P. Chaudhari with transporting aliens between on or about June 15, 2025, through on or about June 20, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count XXIII charges Ketankumar Chaudhari and Rashmi Samani with conspiracy to defraud the United States on or about August 1, 2011, through on or about August 12, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count XXIV charges Ketankumar Chaudhari and Rashmi Samani with fraud and misuse of visas sometime after December 12, 2022, but before May 1, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.              

The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or her designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:

Alex Abel Avila Matute, age 34

Ediberto Garcia Donis, age 48

Roberto Carlos Carrillo Garcia, age 37

Benito Perez Mendoza, age 53

The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following an aggravated felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or her designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:

Carlos Eduardo Galan Vargas, age 46

Cesar Meza-Marta, age 53

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.

Contact Amy Donato at 402-661-3700 for further information.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Dale Jackson, 19, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 15, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for distribution and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl analogue. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Jackson to 120 months’ imprisonment on the conspiracy charge and 70 months on the distribution charge, both sentences will run concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After Jackson’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

In 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined that associates and co-conspirators Latrell Knight and Dale Jackson were receiving “M-30” pills from a common drug supplier and selling them. “M-30” pills are frequently counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and analogues of fentanyl.

Between April 17, 2024, through September 10, 2024, Knight and Jackson sold a confidential source (CS) M-30 pills. These transactions would occur outside of Knights residence and at a Casey’s gas station near 72nd and Grover streets in Omaha. Knight and Jackson would sell together and separately. In addition to the pills, Knight sold a DB9 9mm handgun to the CS on May 6 and a Glock 17 9mm handgun to the CS on July 11. Jackson communicated via text message with the CS on July 11 telling the CS that Jackson had arranged for a $1,000 transaction with a drug supplier for the CS, but the transaction did not occur on that day. Twice Jackson shorted the CS 50 M-30 pills. In total about 1,616 M-30 pills were sold to the CS as part of the conspiracy.

Jackson’s cellphones were seized and searched on December 30, 2024, pursuant to a search warrant and their contents revealed a pattern of fentanyl sales that included at least 84 M-30 pills separate from the controlled buys. The contents also revealed conversations with the common supplier pertaining to obtaining more M-30 pills.

Both were arrested on January 23, 2025.

Knight pled guilty to drug conspiracy, drug distribution, and possession of a firearm in the furtherance of drug trafficking. He will be sentenced on September 25, 2025.

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

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Ronnie James Colvin, III, 22, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 14, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, for assaulting a United States Postal Service mail carrier, and for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Chief Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Colvin to 42 months’ imprisonment for the bank fraud and 42 months’ imprisonment for the robbery, to run concurrently; and 84 months’ imprisonment for the firearm offense, to run consecutive to the bank fraud and robbery offenses, for a total of 126 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Colvin’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. Additionally, Chief Judge Rossiter ordered Colvin to pay $6,406.89 in restitution.

On January 31, 2023, a United States Postal Service (USPS) mail delivery man was delivering mail in a neighborhood near North 25th and Crown Point avenues in Omaha when he was robbed at gunpoint. The armed robbers demanded his arrow key and were able to obtain it. An arrow key is like a mastery key, allowing the holder to gain access to secure publicly accessible USPS drop boxes, such as blue collection boxes. U.S. Postal Inspectors canvassed the area of the robbery and obtained surveillance video from several neighboring homes, which captured a black sedan that appeared to be following the mail carrier on his route. Footage identified the black sedan leaving the area at an accelerated speed around the time of the robbery. No suspects were immediately identified, but the investigation into the robbery continued.

In April 2023, a victim placed two checks in the blue collection box at the Florence Post Office in Omaha. In May 2023, the victim checked his bank account and saw that one of the checks, originally made out to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had cleared his bank account. The check was originally made out to the IRS in the amount of $15,171. The image of the deposited check had been altered. The victim indicated the writing on the check was all fraudulent and that the only thing that was the same was his signature. The victim reported another check was attempted to be cashed; however, the payment was declined by the bank as a stop payment was placed on the check. The check was in the amount of $10,913 and written out to the Nebraska Department of Revenue. The attempted cashing showed the check was altered and the payee was also changed.

In May 2023, a U.S. Postal Inspector had contact with the Florence Post Office. The clerk indicated they believed they were having issues with an arrow key being used at the location as the volume of mail picked up from the blue collection box outside the Post Office was lower than normal.

Investigation into the bank fraud ultimately identified two addresses in Omaha of interest, which were neighboring homes. The investigation also revealed two possible suspects who were captured on surveillance video cashing checks at ATMs and in Walmart stores. One of the suspects drove a black sedan. Investigation ultimately revealed Jonathan Ayer and Ronnie Colvin, III were suspects in both the robbery and bank fraud.

A search and arrest warrant were simultaneously executed on both Ayer and Colvin in the early morning hours of December 7, 2023. Colvin was pulled over in a vehicle away from the home. Subsequent searches revealed thousands of checks, stolen mail matter and firearms. Colvin was charged with the firearm, robbery, and bank fraud offense. Ayer was charged with bank fraud.

This scheme involved obtaining legitimate checks from the mail and altering the original payee and amount of the check, replacing it with names and identities of individuals whose banking account information Ayer and Colvin had access. Ayer and Colvin would pass the fraudulent checks, obtaining cash. As a result of this scheme, the intended loss amount was over $4.4 million, and the actual loss was more than $200,000.

“The safety and security of our employees, customers, and the U.S. mail remain paramount to the mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service,” said Bryan Musgrove, Inspector in Charge of the Denver Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “Postal employees deserve to go to work each day to deliver an essential service to the American public without the fear of being robbed or attacked. Postal Inspectors will continue to relentlessly pursue individuals who commit acts of violence against postal employees and seek to exploit the nation’s mail system for their criminal activities.”

Ayer pleaded guilty to two counts of bank fraud on June 12, 2025. His sentencing is scheduled for September 5, 2025.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Gregory Scott Dreher, 49, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced on August 14, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Dreher to 216 months’ imprisonment. Dreher, who was on federal supervision when he committed this offense, was sentenced to an additional 16 months of imprisonment for violating the of his supervised release. Dreher also forfeited any claim to $4,000 in US currency seized from his possession. There is no parole in the federal system. After Dreher’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

Dreher was charged as a result of his involvement with a Mexico Source of Supply (SOS) of methamphetamine who supplies the Omaha and Council Bluffs area. Dreher assisted a local courier who was distributing the SOS’s methamphetamine in Nebraska and Iowa.

On October 2, 2023, law enforcement observed Dreher meet with a suspected drug courier at an Omaha location. Directly following the meet, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle occupied by Dreher. A search of the vehicle revealed more than 400 grams actual methamphetamine. Dreher was arrested and $4,000 of drug proceeds were seized from his possession.

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that five people were charged by complaint for a range of federal violations that center around their alleged conspiracy to engage in labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and harboring of aliens at several hotel locations across the Omaha metro area and into central Nebraska.  The defendants own, operate and manage several hotels in the Omaha metro area located at the following locations where federal search warrants were executed in the early morning hours of August 12, 2025:

• The AmericInn, 2920 S 13 Ct., Omaha;
• The Inn (formerly Super 8), 9305 S 145th St., Omaha;
• The New Victorian, 10728 L St., Omaha; and
• Roadway Inn, 1110 Fort Crook Rd S, Bellevue, NE.

The five charged and arrested on August 12, 2025, are:

• Kentakumar Chaudhari, a/k/a Ken Chaudhari, age 36, of Elkhorn, NE;
• Rashmi Ajit Samani, a/k/a Falguni Samani, age 42, of Elkhorn, NE;
• Amit Prahladbhai Chaudhari, a/k/a Amit, age 32, of Omaha;
• Amit Babubhai Chaudhari, a/k/a Matt, age 33, of Omaha; and
• Maheshkumar Chaudhari, a/k/a Mahesh, age 38, of Norfolk, NE.

The redacted complaint affidavit contains a more complete summary of the allegations. Criminal Complaints are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners worked together today to safely execute search warrants at 14 business premises and two residential locations associated with the defendants.  Four of those premises were either hotels or motels, and the remaining businesses were “Brow and Lash” salons located in the Westroads Mall and at other Omaha metro area locations.

During the operation, law enforcement officers rescued 10 minors from an alleged labor trafficking conspiracy that involved putting children under the age of twelve years old to work at the hotels for long hours with little to no pay.  Seventeen adult victims were also rescued from the same conspiracy.  The complaint affidavit details the allegedly exploitative conditions these victims were subjected to while being required to pay the defendants for their lodging at the hotels.  The lodging accommodations were unclean, unsafe, and unhealthy. Online reviews for the hotel locations detail the firsthand accounts of travelers who occupied the same locations briefly.  On one occasion, a source working with the federal government entered a hotel room where immigrant victims were sleeping on the floor of the room with cockroaches crawling on the victims as they slept.

Separately, the United States Attorney’s Office has alleged that one or more of the defendants were engaged in a sex trafficking conspiracy that allegedly victimized both minors and adults.  Sex trafficking was not only allowed at the hotels according to complaint affidavit allegations but also encouraged, protected from law enforcement detection, and sex trafficking victims at the hotels were subjected not only to the traditional perpetrators of a sex trafficking scheme but also to hotel management and employees victimizing them as well.

Beyond these allegations, multiple defendants are alleged to have maintained these hotels as premises to conduct drug trafficking freely.   Drug traffickers allegedly received protection from law enforcement in the same manner in which human traffickers were also shielded by the hotel owners and managers.  Overdoses were a common problem, and at least one hotel had to keep Narcan at the front desk as a result.  One source cited described a stairwell of one of the hotels as being littered with drug needles.  Drug use was open and notorious in the parking lots according to eyewitnesses and to some online guest reviews.

At least one of the defendants is charged with a conspiracy to defraud the United States government by instigating a criminal scheme designed to obtain U visas under fraudulent circumstances. The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.  Allegations in the complaint affidavits reveal that one hotel owner hired a worker at a hotel to stage a fictitious robbery of one of the Brow and Lash salons in 2022. The goal was to secure a U visa for one of the other defendants by making her a “victim” of the robbery.   

The complaint further alleges one of the defendants engaged in conversations involving questions about what it would cost to bring someone from India to America and negotiating various prices.  A number of hotel employees crossed the Arizona border several years ago and reported to Customs and Border Patrol they would be residing at one or more of the defendant’s hotels, thereby indicating those arrangements were made prior to entering the country illegally. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that aliens were being transported by co-conspirators between the State of Nebraska and the State of Washington for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining Washington state driver’s licenses for around $1,000 per identification document.

The various alleged conspiracies generated significant illegal proceeds, and as part of today’s operation, significant cash assets were seized to include more than $565,000 in U.S. currency that are alleged to be involved in money laundering. The United States filed a notice of pending lawsuit on the hotel properties to prevent their sale or transfer while this investigation is ongoing.  The United States Marshals Service is actively recovering assets in this investigation alleged to have been illegally acquired and hoarded by the defendants. Also, seized during this operation was an undetermined amount illicit drugs that will be quantified as this investigation progresses.

Several vigilant citizens made complaints to Human Trafficking Hotlines about child workers and sex trafficking issues at one or more of these hotels, and we commend the members of our community who help shine a light on these unspeakable crimes and give a voice to the voiceless.

Due to the number of victims already identified in this ongoing federal investigation and the breadth and combination of the alleged charges, the FBI has requested that anyone having additional information on the crimes occurring at these locations or other business locations in Nebraska where similar crimes occurred, please contact the Omaha FBI field office to report that information.  

United States Attorney Lesley Woods said, “There is no evil greater than the evil that seeks to trap, oppress, and exploit human beings for profit or pleasure.  Where that evil exists, Nebraska law enforcement working together at the federal, state, and local levels, as occurred in this case, will seek it, find it, root it out, and ensure every rescued victim has an opportunity to obtain justice and freedom from their captors.”

U.S. Attorney Woods commends the unparalleled investigative coordination and accomplishment of this case achieved by the combined efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office, the Omaha Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Branch, the United States Marshals Service, and the Nebraska State Attorney General’s Office.  U.S. Attorney Woods added, “When so many law enforcement agencies come together as one team, united in their relentless pursuit of justice, there is no organized crime network operating within Nebraska’s borders that can escape identification and accountability.”

Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel, leader of the Omaha FBI Field Office, stated, “Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. This investigation revealed victims right here in the heart of the heartland forced into sexual activity, living and working in dangerous and filthy conditions, and extorted to work in grueling jobs with little to no pay. We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners to aggressively identify and apprehend perpetrators of human trafficking, hold them accountable, and obtain justice for victims. Our approach to these horrific cases is always centered on the victims. We encourage anyone who may be a victim or have information about human trafficking to call us. We will continue to surge resources to arrest violent offenders in our community as part of the FBI’s Summer Heat Initiative.”

“There is nothing more reprehensible than exploiting human beings, particularly children, for sex, abusive labor conditions or deliberately violating U.S. immigration laws to profit from their suffering,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito of ICE HSI Kansas City, which covers Nebraska. “These criminals hide in the shadows, prey on the vulnerable and show no regard for the laws or values of our nation. Their crimes are calculated to be difficult to uncover but HSI and our federal partners have no intention of stopping until these predators are brought to justice and every victim is freed from their grip. ”

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Walter James Hulit, 37, of Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced on August 7, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for failing to register as a sex offender. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Hulit to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hulit’s release from prison, he will begin a six-year term of supervised release.

On June 12, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Hulit was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor. Hulit was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment and placed on a five-year term of supervised release. He was released from prison and began his supervision term on June 28, 2022.  Hulit is required to register as a sex offender.

On November 18, 2024, Hulit was arrested in Winnebago, Nebraska, after Winnebago Children and Family Services received information that Hulit was residing in a home on the Winnebago Reservation.

A U.S. Marshals Service investigation revealed that Hulit was registered at an address in Sioux City, Iowa and not where he was residing in Winnebago. Hulit is aware of his duty to register as a sex offender. Hulit did not register or attempt to register from between approximately October 2024 to November 2024, when he was arrested. 

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 United States Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Roberto Lamadrid Campuzano, 38, of Mexico, was sentenced on August 8, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for illegal reentry to the United States following an aggravated felony conviction. Chief Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Lamadrid Campuzano to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Lamadrid Campuzano’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

Lamadrid Campuzano came to the attention of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) after agents received information from a traffic stop in Bellevue, Nebraska, conducted by Bellevue Police Department on April 4, 2025. Lamadrid Campuzano had previously been identified by law enforcement as a member of Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13.

On April 10, 2025, special agents from HSI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) observed Lamadrid Campuzano exit his residence and arrive at a construction site in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Lamadrid Campuzano was arrested while leaving the work site for his lunch break. Lamadrid Campuzano was then taken in for administrative processing where his identity was confirmed. Lamadrid Campuzano is a citizen and national of Mexico. Lamadrid Campuzano had been previously ordered removed from the United States on October 6, 2006, and was physically removed from the United States pursuant to that order on May 30, 2014. When he was encountered in the United States on April 10, 2025, Lamadrid Campuzano did not have the permission of the Attorney General or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to have returned to the United States.

On August 1, 2006, Lamadrid Campuzano was convicted of numerous felonies in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, which included Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, Criminal Gang Participation, and Reckless Use of a Firearm with Serious Injury.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Carlos Aldalberto Hernandez, Jr., 31, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 24, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Hernandez to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hernandez’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

In April and May of 2024, a confidential informant made a total of four purchases of methamphetamine from two of Hernandez’s housemates in Lincoln.  Those purchases ranged from approximately ¼ ounce up to approximately ½ ounce of methamphetamine.  The last of those purchases occurred on May 6, 2024.  A search warrant was executed at Hernandez’s residence on that date. During that search, investigators found a cardboard box containing 14 baggies of methamphetamine in Hernandez’s bedroom.  Additional smaller amounts of methamphetamine were found throughout the house.  The total amount of methamphetamine found was approximately 610 grams.  One of Hernandez’s co-conspirators had an additional ½ ounce of methamphetamine in his vehicle. Three of the baggies found in the house were analyzed for purity and were found to contain at least 170 grams of actual methamphetamine.   A cooperating witness told investigators that Hernandez had been living at the house for about six weeks prior to the search and was a source of methamphetamine for other residents of the house.

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Carlos Aldalberto Hernandez, Jr., 31, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 24, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Hernandez to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hernandez’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

In April and May of 2024, a confidential informant made a total of four purchases of methamphetamine from two of Hernandez’s housemates in Lincoln.  Those purchases ranged from approximately ¼ ounce up to approximately ½ ounce of methamphetamine.  The last of those purchases occurred on May 6, 2024.  A search warrant was executed at Hernandez’s residence on that date. During that search, investigators found a cardboard box containing 14 baggies of methamphetamine in Hernandez’s bedroom.  Additional smaller amounts of methamphetamine were found throughout the house.  The total amount of methamphetamine found was approximately 610 grams.  One of Hernandez’s co-conspirators had an additional ½ ounce of methamphetamine in his vehicle. Three of the baggies found in the house were analyzed for purity and were found to contain at least 170 grams of actual methamphetamine.   A cooperating witness told investigators that Hernandez had been living at the house for about six weeks prior to the search and was a source of methamphetamine for other residents of the house.

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 30 unsealed Indictments charging 31 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.

Jeffery Robinson, age 49, of Springfield, Nebraska, is charged with failure to register pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) from on or about April 7, 2025, through on or about May 2, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.         

Devon Rice, age 28, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with attempted production of child pornography beginning at least on or about May 30, 2025, and continuing to on or about June 18, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and not more than 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.

Dakota Parrott, age 32, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about March 24, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.

Joshua Hollum, age 46, of Kearney, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Hollum with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about February 4, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Hollum with use and carry of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about February 4, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to life imprisonment consecutive to Count I, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 5 years, and a $100 special assessment.

Victor Zavala Garcia, age 53, of Crete, Nebraska, is charged with making false statement in an application for a passport on or about June 5, 2023.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Tyson Bauer, age 47, of Deshler, Nebraska, is charged with knowingly making false statement for the purpose of influencing the action of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation on or about December 14, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Eulisis Martin, age 34, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I charges Martin with attempting malicious damage to federal property using explosive materials on or about June 9, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Martin with possession of a destructive device commonly known as a Molotov cocktail on or about June 9, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges Martin with destruction of government property on or about June 14, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count IV charges Martin with impeding, intimidating or interfering with federal officials by threat beginning from on or about June 9, 2025, and continuing until on or about June 14, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 6 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Cristian Manuel Tovar-Olivares, age 25, and Snaider Sthiferson Castro Hidalgo, age 32, both of Kearney, Nebraska, are charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges Tovar-Olivares and Castro Hidalgo with conspiracy to commit bank burglary and unauthorized access of a protected computer on or about July 6, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Tovar-Olivares and Castro Hidalgo with attempted bank burglary on or about July 6, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges Tovar-Olivares and Castro Hidalgo with unauthorized access of a protected computer on or about July 6, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Daryl J. Leise, age 56, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with three counts of bank fraud on or about June 21, 2024.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count.  

Carina Guadalupe Salazar-Zuniga, age 33, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Salazar-Zuniga with fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents from on or about December 19, 2024, through on or about May 28, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Salazar-Zuniga with buying a counterfeit social security card on or about December 19, 2024.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Cody Chilson, age 33, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with escape from custody on or about June 5, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Salih M. Samin Totakhil, age 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with international parental kidnapping on or about March 19, 2022, and continuing to at least on or about March 31, 2022.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 3 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Tyrece D. Thomas, age 24, of Macy, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Thomas with sexual assault by force or threat on or about June 8, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charged Thomas with sexual assault by threat on or about June 8, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.

Guadalupe Cabrera Mejia, age 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment.  Count I charges Cabrera Mejia with false representation of a social security number on or about January 30, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Cabrera Mejia with fraud and misuse of false identification documents on or about January 30, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges Cabrera Mejia with false claim to U.S. citizenship on or about January 30, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Marvin Aleman Zepeda, age 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with assault, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon on or about June 10, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Thomas M. Laughlin, age 45, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about May 26, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Rodolfo De Leon Cua, age 46, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two count Indictment.  Count I charges De Leon Cua with transportation of child pornography between on or about February 1, 2024, and on or about June 30, 2024. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges De Leon Cua with possession of child pornography on or about February 5, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.

Joyce M. Beauchamp, age 39, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a three count Indictment. Count I charges Beauchamp with production or attempted production of child pornography beginning on an unknown date and continuing through on or about December 31, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Beauchamp with production or attempted production of child pornography beginning on an unknown date and continuing through on or about December 31, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges Beauchamp with distribution of child pornography beginning on an unknown date and continuing through on or about February 14, 2023. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.

Juan Cabrera Rivera, age 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a three count Indictment. Count I charges Cabrea Rivera with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine beginning on or about May 6, 2024, and continuing to on or about May 14, 2024. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Cabrera Rivera with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about May 6, 2024. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges Cabrera Rivera possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about May 14, 2024. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.

Travell Richard, age 36, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about December 6, 2024. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Michael Krauth, age 63, of Fremont, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about March 4, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.

Tresean E. Washington, age 32, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about April 6, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

Osmar Lorenzo-Genchi, age 20, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two count Indictment.  Count I charges Lorenzo-Genchi with assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal law enforcement officers involving the intent to commit another felony on or about June 10, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 8 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Lorenzo-Genchi with willfully injuring or committing any depredation against any property of the United States in excess of $1,000.00 on or about June 10, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, age 30, of Bellevue, Nebraska, is charged in a three count Indictment.  Count I charges Hurtado-Cariaco with attempted murder of a federal officer on or about June 18, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges Hurtado-Cariaco with assault, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees on or about June 18, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count III charges Hurtado-Cariaco with resisting a federal officer on or about June 18, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 1 year imprisonment, a $100,000 fine, a 1-year term of supervised release, and a $25 special assessment.

The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or her designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:

Tomas Castillo-Martinez, age 30

Carlos Humberto Barrios Perez, age 52

Dulce Anel Franco-Cortez, age 31

Ignacio Galvez Aguilar, age 39

The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following a felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or her designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:

Nelson Enrique Rivera-Maradiaga, age 45

Francisco Meza-Carmona, age 42

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.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Tanner Hudson, 27, of Spalding, Nebraska, was sentenced July 24, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln for distribution of fentanyl.  United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Hudson to 192 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system. After Hudson is released from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On March 13, 2022, Hudson provided a round blue pill to the victim.  Hudson believed the pill to be a controlled substance, a Percocet. This was confirmed through text messages and law enforcement interviews. Within an hour or so of receiving the pill, the victim loss consciousness.  About five hours later, the victim’s roommate came home to find the victim alive, unconscious and suffering from pulmonary edema.  Victim’s roommate called first responders.  First responders arrived and administered Narcan to the victim.  Eventually, medical doctors determined that the victim suffered two episodes of ventricular fibrillation and exhibited cerebral edema, which caused severe neurological damage.  The victim remains in a vegetative state.

This case was investigated by the Kearney Police Department.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Larry D. Moss, 22, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on July 23, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for distributing fentanyl analogue.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Moss to 125 months’ imprisonment to be served consecutively to the state sentence he is presently serving at the state penitentiary.  There is no parole in the federal system.  After Moss’ release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On September 13, 2023, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobaccos and Firearms (ATF) special agents received information from a confidential source (CS) that Larry Moss and co-conspirator Craig Ruffin had acquired 1,500 fentanyl pills.  Agents arranged a controlled purchase of approximately 200 ‘M30’fentanyl pills for $2,000 from Moss at his Omaha residence, during which Moss sold the pills containing fentanyl analogue.

On March 27, 2024, Drug Enforcement Agency task force officers (TFOs) encountered a suspicious package sent from Laveen, Arizona to a Bellevue residence.  TFOs executed a search warrant on the package and found it contained approx. 2,000 ‘M30’ fentanyl pills.  TFOs delivered the package to the residence where Moss collected it and drove away.  Law enforcement pursued and attempted to stop his vehicle, but Moss drove onto the sidewalk and through a construction site and ultimately escaped.  He threw the package out of the window. Officers also found a Sig Sauer P250, .357 SIG handgun in his path.

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

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Omaha and Bellevue Police Departments. 

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Daron J. Brown (Brown), age 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 23, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, for production of child pornography.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Brown to 360 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system. After Brown’s release from prison, he will begin a lifetime term of supervised release.

On October 29, 2023, a school social worker reported concerns about minor victim’s relationship with an adult male to a school resource officer (SRO).  Through investigation, the SRO learned minor victim became involved with Brown after Brown contacted minor victim via Facebook. Brown told minor victim he was 19 years of age, going on 20.  At the time, Brown was a 33-year-old registered sex offender after being convicted in 2018 of Criminal Attempt, First Degree Sexual Assault in Douglas County District Court, Douglas County, Nebraska.  Others close to minor victim also expressed concern about minor victim’s relationship with Brown.

While investigating, law enforcement seized Brown’s cell phone, and a cell phone Brown gave minor victim. On Brown’s phone, investigators located 532 images and 250 videos depicting Brown and minor victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Many images and videos were consistent with images and videos located on the phone taken from minor victim.  Investigators also located sexually explicit images of minor victim, which were taken as screenshots during a Facetime call between Brown and minor victim.  Brown knew minor victim to be under 18 years of age.

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

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that on July 17, 2025, Miguel Angel Salazar-Zuniga, age 37, originally of Mexico, entered a plea of guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Ryan C. Carson in Omaha to bringing in and harboring an alien. On July 18, 2025, Angela Rocio Urrutia Cruz, age 35, originally of Colombia, entered a plea of guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Ryan C. Carson in Omaha to bringing in and harboring an alien. Magistrate Judge Carson set the sentencing hearings for Salazar-Zuniga and Urrutia Cruz for October 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM before United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher. Salazar-Zuniga and Urrutia Cruz each face penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Both Salazar-Zuniga and Urrutia Cruz agreed to forfeit their residence on North 34th Street in Omaha which was used to facilitate the commission of these crimes.

Urrutia Cruz and Salazar Zuniga owned and operated two businesses, MASU Construction, LLC and Angela’s Cleaning Services, LLC. Salazar-Zuniga and Urrutia Cruz owned a residence on North 34th Street in Omaha.

From on or about May 1, 2022, through May 28, 2025, Salazar-Zuniga and Urrutia Cruz encouraged and induced multiple individuals to come to, enter, and reside in the United States.

Salazar-Zuniga admitted that a Mexican national, who illegally crossed into the United States in November 2024 near Nogales, Arizona with his wife and children, resided with Salazar-Zuniga and Urrutia Cruz on North 34th Street in Omaha. This individual paid Salazar-Zuniga and Urrutia Cruz $300 a month for rent and worked for Salazar-Zuniga at MASU Construction LLC being paid $800 a week.

Urrutia Cruz admitted he arranged a Colombian citizen to be illegally crossed into the United States in September 2023. Specifically, Urrutia Cruz sent this individual three money transfers to pay for food and to pay for a “coyote” to help him illegally cross into the United States. Urrutia Cruz also helped arrange the coyote to take the individual across the border. When encountered by United States Border Patrol agents, the individual provided Salazar-Zuniga and Urrutia Cruz’s Saratoga address as his destination. Once in the United States, Urrutia Cruz bought the individual a plane ticket from San Diego to Omaha.  This individual resided with Urrutia Cruz and Salazar-Zuniga on North 34th Street in Omaha and paid $160 a month to Urrutia Cruz and Salazar-Zuniga to cover rent and other expenses. The induvial also worked for Urrutia Cruz’s cleaning business.

This case is part of the Take Back America Task Force, led by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case was primarily investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Gregorio Pablo-Lares, age 38, a citizen of Guatemala who resided in West Point, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 18, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for false representation of a social security number with intent to deceive and reentry of a removed alien. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Pablo-Lares to eight months’ imprisonment on each count, to be served concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After Pablo-Lares’s release from prison, he will begin a one-year term of supervised release.

To obtain employment at a business in Nebraska, Pablo-Lares used the name, date of birth and Social Security Number (SSN) of another person. As proof of identity, Pablo-Lares provided to the employer a phony state ID card and a phony Social Security Card. The Social Security Administration verified that the SSN Pablo-Lares used belongs to a real person. An order to remove Pablo-Lares from the United States was issued in 2018, and he had been removed from the United States to Guatemala on three occasions in 2018 and 2019. He thereafter re-entered the United States but did not obtain consent from the appropriate authority to re-apply for admission.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Claudia Isabel Cazerez-Quintero, 42, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced on July 15, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Cazerez-Quintero to a total of 226 months’ imprisonment on each charge to run concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After Cazerez-Quintero is released from prison, she will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. She is subject to deportation to Mexico as she is not a United States citizen.

Cazarez-Quintero was on federal supervised release during the conspiracy. She was convicted of possession of 3 kilograms of heroin with intent to distribute in the Northern District of Ohio on July 5, 2017. Chief Judge Rossiter sentenced Cazarez-Quintero to 30 months’ imprisonment for the supervised release violation, which will run concurrent to the new sentence of 226 months.

On December 14, 2023, a confidential source arranged via telephone to purchase one pound of methamphetamine in Omaha from a Mexican drug source via a courier who arrived in a Mazda and sold 0.3849 kilograms of methamphetamine for $3,000.  Law enforcement followed the Mazda to the Muse apartments and through their investigation determined which apartment the drug courier was using.

On January 5, 2024, a confidential source conducted another controlled purchase of methamphetamine from the courier, this time purchasing 481.05 grams of methamphetamine for $2,500.

On January 10, 2024, while law enforcement was conducting surveillance on the residence of another known Omaha methamphetamine dealer near 27th and Hazel streets, they saw the Mazda arrive and identified Cazarez-Quintero as the driver. She remained at the residence for a short time before returning to the Muse apartment. Shortly thereafter, the Drug Enforcement Administration executed a search warrant at the 27th and Hazel streets residence and seized three pounds of methamphetamine.

Then, on January 11, 2024, law enforcement saw Cazarez-Quintero arrive to the apartment complex driving the Mazda. They executed a search warrant, detained her, and searched the apartment. During the search, they found approximately 56 pounds of methamphetamine in a dresser and backpack. Law enforcement also seized $17,880.00 in United States Currency which was administratively forfeited.

In Cazarez-Quintero’s purse, law enforcement found a portion of methamphetamine. In a post-Miranda interview, Cazarez-Quintero denied knowledge of the methamphetamine or currency but admitted to her clothes being present in the apartment.  She admitted affiliation with the courier involved in the December 14, 2025, and January 5, 2025, buys and provided consent to search her phone. Within it, law enforcement observed multiple images of apparent methamphetamine and text messages consistent with drug trafficking, including a veiled discussion regarding delivering methamphetamine to the 27th and Hazel streets residence.

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

WASHINGTON — A civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force assigned to the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) at Offutt Air Force Base pleaded guilty today to conspiring to transmit classified information relating to the national defense (National Defense Information) on a foreign online dating platform beginning in or around February 2022 until in or around April 2022.

“The defendant, an employee of the United States Air Force with access to some of our Nation’s most closely held secrets, shared classified information with someone claiming to be a foreigner on an online dating platform,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The Department of Justice stands ready to hold accountable those who violate their obligation to protect sensitive national security information entrusted to them.”

“Access to classified information comes with great responsibility. David Slater failed in his duty to protect this information by willingly sharing National Defense Information with an unknown online personality despite having years of military experience that should have caused him to be suspicious of that person’s motives,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods for the District of Nebraska.

“Mr. Slater betrayed an oath he made to safeguard our nation’s intelligence,” said Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office. “Leveraging his access to sensitive information, Mr. Slater chose to transmit material that put our country at risk. The FBI is extremely thankful for the work of our partners in this case. We will continue to partner together to defend the homeland by aggressively investigating and apprehending criminals and adversaries who pose a threat to our nation’s security.”

According to court documents, David Franklin Slater, 64, of Nebraska, after retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army, worked in a classified space at USSTRATCOM and held a Top Secret security clearance from in or around August 2021 until in or around April 2022. Slater pleaded guilty to willfully, improperly, and unlawfully conspiring to transmit National Defense Information classified as “SECRET,” which he had reason to believe could be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation, on a foreign online dating platform to a person not authorized to receive such information.

According to court documents, Slater attended USSTRATCOM briefings regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine that were classified up to TOP SECRET//SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION (TS//SCI). Slater then conspired to transmit classified National Defense Information that he learned from those briefings via the foreign online dating website’s messaging platform to his co-conspirator, who claimed to be a female living in Ukraine on the foreign dating website. The co-conspirator regularly asked Slater to provide her with sensitive, non-public, closely held, and classified National Defense Information and called Slater in their messages her “secret informant love” and her “secret agent.” In furtherance of that conspiracy, Slater did, in fact, transmit classified National Defense Information to her, including regarding military targets and Russian military capabilities relating to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The charge of conspiracy to transmit national defense information provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Slater is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 8. A federal judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Omaha Field Office and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations are investigating this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald J. Kleine for the District of Nebraska and Trial Attorney Emma Dinan Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/air-force-employee-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-disclose-unlawfully-classified-national-defense

A civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force assigned to the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) at Offutt Air Force Base pleaded guilty today to conspiring to transmit classified information relating to the national defense (National Defense Information) on a foreign online dating platform beginning in or around February 2022 until in or around April 2022.

“The defendant, an employee of the United States Air Force with access to some of our Nation’s most closely held secrets, shared classified information with someone claiming to be a foreigner on an online dating platform,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The Department of Justice stands ready to hold accountable those who violate their obligation to protect sensitive national security information entrusted to them.”

“Access to classified information comes with great responsibility. David Slater failed in his duty to protect this information by willingly sharing National Defense Information with an unknown online personality despite having years of military experience that should have caused him to be suspicious of that person’s motives,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods for the District of Nebraska.

“Mr. Slater betrayed an oath he made to safeguard our nation's intelligence,” said Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office. “Leveraging his access to sensitive information, Mr. Slater chose to transmit material that put our country at risk. The FBI is extremely thankful for the work of our partners in this case. We will continue to partner together to defend the homeland by aggressively investigating and apprehending criminals and adversaries who pose a threat to our nation's security.”

According to court documents, David Franklin Slater, 64, of Nebraska, after retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army, worked in a classified space at USSTRATCOM and held a Top Secret security clearance from in or around August 2021 until in or around April 2022. Slater pleaded guilty to willfully, improperly, and unlawfully conspiring to transmit National Defense Information classified as “SECRET,” which he had reason to believe could be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation, on a foreign online dating platform to a person not authorized to receive such information.

According to court documents, Slater attended USSTRATCOM briefings regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine that were classified up to TOP SECRET//SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION (TS//SCI). Slater then conspired to transmit classified National Defense Information that he learned from those briefings via the foreign online dating website’s messaging platform to his co-conspirator, who claimed to be a female living in Ukraine on the foreign dating website. The co-conspirator regularly asked Slater to provide her with sensitive, non-public, closely held, and classified National Defense Information and called Slater in their messages her “secret informant love” and her “secret agent.” In furtherance of that conspiracy, Slater did, in fact, transmit classified National Defense Information to her, including regarding military targets and Russian military capabilities relating to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The charge of conspiracy to transmit national defense information provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Slater is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 8. A federal judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Omaha Field Office and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations are investigating this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Kleine for the District of Nebraska and Trial Attorney Emma Dinan Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Guadalupe Ramirez, 40, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 3, 2025 in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for Conspiracy to Distribute 500 grams or more of Methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Ramirez to 324 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ramirez is released from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.

Beginning in 2021, special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and task force officers with the Cooperative Organization for Drug Enforcement (CODE) began a large-scale investigation into drug dealing in central and west-central Nebraska. Ramirez, also known as “Shrek,” quickly emerged as a key player in a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy that saw methamphetamine being trafficked into Nebraska mainly through mailings originating from California and Mexico. Members of the conspiracy would receive the mailed packages loaded with narcotics and distribute the drugs throughout Nebraska, including as far east as Omaha. At the time of sentencing, the Court found between 15 and 45 kilograms of methamphetamine were moved through Nebraska as a part of this conspiracy.

The investigation also revealed an association between Ramirez and firearms. Ramirez’s Facebook profile included discussions between himself and others in the conspiracy about firearms and a public video of Ramirez discharging a firearm out the window of a vehicle he used to deal drugs.

While imposing the sentence, Judge Bazis commented that Ramirez was essentially “the second in command” of this operation and told Ramirez that “a lot of drugs moved through Nebraska because of you.”

The years’ long investigation that led to this conviction was recognized by the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)’s 2024 Community Impact Operation of the Year. In presenting the award, Midwest HIDTA Director Dan Neill noted that the case was up against other jurisdictions with much larger cities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. The award recognized the hard work of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies during this investigation.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “The trafficking of drugs into our communities is not a victimless crime. It has a destructive effect on our neighborhoods and families. The investigation of Ramirez and his co-conspirators resulted in 36 federal indictments, 22 local arrests, the seizure of illicit drugs, cash, and firearms, and dismantled a pernicious drug trafficking organization in central Nebraska. We’ll continue to join forces with our partners to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations in both urban and rural communities across the state, and to impose consequences on those responsible for selling drugs to mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters in our community.”

U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods said, “The outstanding work of the CODE Task Force demonstrates that full prosecutorial and investigation collaboration can accomplish tremendous outcomes in the interest of making Nebraska an even safer place for its citizens to call home.”

These cases were investigated by the CODE Task Force which is made up of law enforcement agencies throughout a 22-county area in west-central/southwest Nebraska and includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, North Platte Police Department, Lexington Police Department, and Army National Guard Counter Drug Unit.  The investigation and arrests were also assisted by the U.S. Postal Service, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Ogallala Police Department, La Vista Police Department, the Tri-Cities Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT) Task Force, the Western Intelligence Narcotics Group (WING) Task Force, the Capitol Region Safe Streets Task Force (CRSSTF), the Lincoln/Lancaster County Metro Fugitive Task Force, the Lincoln and Keith County Attorney’s Offices, and Nebraska District 11 Probation Office.   

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Adrian Barron-Valdez, 47, originally of Mexico, was sentenced on June 27, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for reentry of a removed alien after an aggravated felony conviction. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Barron-Valdez to 21 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Barron-Valdez release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

Barron-Valdez came to the attention of Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) in the District of Nebraska on December 7, 2024, following his arrest on state charges in Omaha. Barron-Valdez posted bond and was released to ICE on December 26, 2024, pursuant to its detainer. Barron-Valdez was arrested by ICE and was transported to the immigration office in Omaha for processing. Fingerprint results confirmed Barron-Valdez’s identity, alienage, immigration, and criminal history. Barron-Valdez is a citizen and national of Mexico with no claim to United States Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident status. He did not have documents to enter, pass through, or remain in the United States. It was confirmed Barron-Valdez had previously been issued a removal order on December 18, 2004, and he was physically removed from the United States to Mexico six times, first on January 12, 2005, and most recently on November 3, 2021. Barron-Valdez was convicted on June 10, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

There is no record that Barron-Valdez obtained consent from either the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission into the United States.

This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Brian G. McAtee, 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 24, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for possession of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced McAtee to 103 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After McAtee’s release from prison, he will begin a seven-year term of supervised release. McAtee was also ordered to pay restitution of $3,000 to each of nine identified victims totaling $27,000.

On January 5, 2023, Discord, Inc.  made two reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicating a Discord user uploaded images depicting child pornography. The IP address associated with the CyberTip resolved to an Omaha residence where McAtee resided.

On January 31, 2024, Nebraska State Patrol Investigators contacted McAtee at his Omaha residence. McAtee agreed to speak with investigators and acknowledged using Discord.  McAtee admitted having child pornography on his cell phone and voluntarily provided the phone to investigators.  McAtee provided the phone’s passcode and showed investigators where he had child pornography on the phone.  After observing child pornography on McAtee’s phone, investigators seized the cell phone and obtained a search warrant for the phone. Investigators forensically extracted and analyzed McAtee’s cell phone and the phone’s SIM card. McAtee possessed at least 696 child pornography image files and 115 child pornography video files. The files included pornographic images and videos involving prepubescent children, including infants and toddlers, adults having sex with children, and depictions of sadomasochism.   

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

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

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United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Erixon O. Menjivar-Alfaro, 20, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 25, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for selling firearms to a felon.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Menjivar-Alfaro to 51 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Menjivar-Alfaro’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

Between April 11, 2023 and October 3, 2023, Mejivar-Alfaro sold four firearms to a confidential source working for the Omaha Police Department. Menjivar-Alfaro knew the confidential source to be a convicted felon. All firearm sales occurred in Menjivar-Alfaro’s vehicle.

On three occasions, Menjivar-Alfaro met with the confidential source at a Walmart parking lot near 50th and L streets in Omaha. On April 11, 2023, Menjivar-Alfaro sold the confidential source a Mack-11 pistol; on May 17, 2023; Mejivar-Alfaro sold the confidential source a Glock 43 handgun; and on September 7, 2023, Menjivar-Alfaro sold the confidential source a Glock-style Polymer80 9mm handgun with a high-capacity magazine On October 3, 2023, Menjivar-Alfaro sold the confidential source a Mini Draco 7.62x39 caliber AK-47-style pistol with a high-capacity magazine and ammunition outside of a residence near 20th and A streets.

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

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, 30, a citizen of Venezuela residing illegally in Bellevue, Nebraska, was charged on June 19, 2025, by criminal complaint with one count of attempted murder of a federal officer and one count of assault of a federal officer with infliction of bodily injury.

Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation possessed an active immigration-related warrant for Hurtado-Cariaco’s arrest and encountered him in Sarpy County near his residence while he was driving. The agents initiated a traffic stop with lights and sirens. Hurtado-Cariaco pulled over and exited his vehicle with his arms raised. The agents gave instructive commands to Hurtado-Cariaco and attempted to place him in hand cuffs.

According to the complaint Hurtado-Cariaco, a suspected member of Tren de Aragua, began to fight with one Special Agent where both landed on the ground. Hurtado-Cariaco was able to throw the agent off him launching the agent through the air resulting in the agent forcefully striking their head and elbow on the pavement injuring them. A second Special Agent engaged with Hurtado-Cariaco to subdue and detain him. Hurtado-Cariaco resisted with both landing on the ground. While both agents tried to control Hurtado-Cariaco while on the ground, he maneuvered behind the injured agent and placed that agent in a chokehold. Hurtado-Cariaco ignored commands from the other agent and continued to choke the agent on the ground. The second agent placed Hurtado-Cariaco in a chokehold to stop the assault. Hurtado-Cariaco released his chokehold on the agent and then used his leverage, broke away from the second agent, and ran. The agents pursued Hurtado-Cariaco by foot, locating him at his apartment in Bellevue and arrested without further incident.

After the arrest, the injured agent was transported to the hospital for treatment.

“Deadly violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated by this Department of Justice,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We have charged this illegal alien with attempted murder.”

“The arrest and prosecution of this vicious Tren de Aragua gang member underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting our law enforcement officers in the line of duty,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Violent attacks from terrorists against those who serve our communities will be met with swift and decisive justice.”

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods said, “Violence against federal law enforcement officers in the line of duty will not be tolerated in Nebraska. Federal law enforcement officers are tasked with enforcing the laws of the United States and they must be able to do so safely. These federal agents maintained their professionalism while being met with potentially fatal violence. Despite sustaining injuries, the agents did not give up and made a successful arrest.”

Hurtado-Cariaco appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Ryan C. Carson on June 20, 2025. Magistrate Judge Carson ordered the defendant detained and set a preliminary and detention hearing for June 24, 2025. A criminal complaint is a charging document that contains one or more individual counts that are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release of not more than five years. Hurtado-Cariaco was arrested on June 18, 2025, in Sarpy County, Nebraska.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced today that Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, 30, a citizen of Venezuela residing illegally in Bellevue, Nebraska, was charged on June 19, 2025, by criminal complaint with one count of attempted murder of a federal officer and one count of assault of a federal officer with infliction of bodily injury.

Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation possessed an active immigration-related warrant for Hurtado-Cariaco’s arrest and encountered him in Sarpy County near his residence while he was driving. The agents initiated a traffic stop with lights and sirens. Hurtado-Cariaco pulled over and exited his vehicle with his arms raised. The agents gave instructive commands to Hurtado-Cariaco and attempted to place him in hand cuffs.

According to the complaint, Hurtado-Cariaco, a suspected member of Tren de Aragua, began to fight with one Special Agent where both landed on the ground. Hurtado-Cariaco was able to throw the agent off him launching the agent through the air resulting in the agent forcefully striking their head and elbow on the pavement injuring them. A second Special Agent engaged with Hurtado-Cariaco to subdue and detain him. Hurtado-Cariaco resisted with both landing on the ground. While both agents tried to control Hurtado-Cariaco while on the ground, he maneuvered behind the injured agent and placed that agent in a chokehold. Hurtado-Cariaco ignored commands from the other agent and continued to choke the agent on the ground. The second agent placed Hurtado-Cariaco in a chokehold to stop the assault. Hurtado-Cariaco released his chokehold on the agent and then used his leverage, broke away from the second agent, and ran. The agents pursued Hurtado-Cariaco by foot, locating him at his apartment in Bellevue and arrested without further incident.

After the arrest, the injured agent was transported to the hospital for treatment.

“Deadly violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated by this Department of Justice,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We have charged this illegal alien with attempted murder.”

“The arrest and prosecution of this vicious Tren de Aragua gang member underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting our law enforcement officers in the line of duty,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Violent attacks from terrorists against those who serve our communities will be met with swift and decisive justice.”

“Violence against federal law enforcement officers in the line of duty will not be tolerated in Nebraska," said U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods.  “Federal law enforcement officers are tasked with enforcing the laws of the United States and they must be able to do so safely. These federal agents maintained their professionalism while being met with potentially fatal violence. Despite sustaining injuries, the agents did not give up and made a successful arrest.”

Hurtado-Cariaco appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Ryan C. Carson on June 20, 2025. Magistrate Judge Carson ordered the defendant detained and set a preliminary and detention hearing for June 24, 2025. A criminal complaint is a charging document that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not more than 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release of not more than three years.  Hurtado-Cariaco was arrested on June 18, 2025, in Sarpy County, Nebraska.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

Read the complaint.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Eulisis P. Martin, 20, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was charged on June 16, 2025, by criminal complaint with one count of attempting malicious damage to federal property using explosive materials. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and not more than 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a special assessment of $100. Martin was arrested on June 16, 2025.

Martin is alleged to have utilized a Molotov cocktail near a federal building housing Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Grand Island on June 9, 2025. Martin is also linked to a spray-painted sign on the federal building stating, “Kill ICE” on June 9.

Aware of the vandalism at the HSI building, a Grand Island Police officer, while on patrol, observed an individual wearing dark clothing running along the fence of the HSI building on June 14. Upon further investigation, Grand Island Police officers located government vehicles with slashed tires.

Law enforcement identified a vehicle belonging to Martin in the area of the building at the time of vandalisms and Molotov cocktail event. Law enforcement located Martin’s vehicle and observed in plain view inside the vehicle a dark brown coat, several gloves, a protest-style sign, a scarf, and two bags under the scarf resembling a tactical-style bag. Open-source information revealed a phone number assigned to Martin. Law enforcement was able to place Martin’s cellphone in the area of the HSI building on June 9 and June 14.  Surveillance of Martin’s vehicle and his residence revealed that Martin was showing signs that he was a target of an investigation and took measures to dispose of his vehicle by relocating it to a rural property.

Martin appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Jacqueline M. DeLuca in Lincoln, Nebraska on June 18, 2025, for his initial appearance.

“The FBI and our partners will aggressively pursue, identify, and apprehend anyone who maliciously attempts to damage federal property,” said Eugene Kowel, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Omaha Field Office. He added, “Many members of our community work in federal buildings and serve the public, and they deserve to do so free from the threat of harm and violence. We respect and protect the right of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment freedoms but will not tolerate individuals inciting violence or engaging in criminal activity and violating federal law. We appreciate the support of the Nebraska State Patrol, Grand Island Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and Federal Protective Service in bringing Martin to justice.”

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods said, “The United States Attorney’s Office vows that violence, intimidation, and threats of violence against federal law enforcement officers, federal investigative agencies, other federal employees who are just doing their jobs and enforcing the laws will not be tolerated in Nebraska.  Federal law enforcement officers do not make the laws, but they are tasked with enforcing them, and they must be able to do so safely. Anyone who chooses to target law enforcement officers and agencies will be held accountable.”

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Protective Service, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Grand Island Police Department.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Eulisis P. Martin, 20, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was charged on June 16, 2025, by criminal complaint with one count of attempting malicious damage to federal property using explosive materials. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and not more than 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a special assessment of $100. Martin was arrested on June 16, 2025.

Martin is alleged to have utilized a Molotov cocktail near a federal building housing Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Grand Island on June 9, 2025. Martin is also linked to a spray-painted sign on the federal building stating, “Kill ICE” on June 9.

Aware of the vandalism at the HSI building, a Grand Island Police officer, while on patrol, observed an individual wearing dark clothing running along the fence of the HSI building on June 14. Upon further investigation, Grand Island Police officers located government vehicles with slashed tires.

Law enforcement identified a vehicle belonging to Martin in the area of the building at the time of vandalisms and Molotov cocktail event. Law enforcement located Martin’s vehicle and observed in plain view inside the vehicle a dark brown coat, several gloves, a protest-style sign, a scarf, and two bags under the scarf resembling a tactical-style bag. Open-source information revealed a phone number assigned to Martin. Law enforcement was able to place Martin’s cellphone in the area of the HSI building on June 9 and June 14.  Surveillance of Martin’s vehicle and his residence revealed that Martin was showing signs that he was a target of an investigation and took measures to dispose of his vehicle by relocating it to a rural property.

Martin appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Jacqueline M. DeLuca in Lincoln, Nebraska on June 18, 2025, for his initial appearance.

“The FBI and our partners will aggressively pursue, identify, and apprehend anyone who maliciously attempts to damage federal property,” said Eugene Kowel, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Omaha Field Office. He added, “Many members of our community work in federal buildings and serve the public, and they deserve to do so free from the threat of harm and violence. We respect and protect the right of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment freedoms but will not tolerate individuals inciting violence or engaging in criminal activity and violating federal law. We appreciate the support of the Nebraska State Patrol, Grand Island Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and Federal Protective Service in bringing Martin to justice.”

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods said, “The United States Attorney’s Office vows that violence, intimidation, and threats of violence against federal law enforcement officers, federal investigative agencies, other federal employees who are just doing their jobs and enforcing the laws will not be tolerated in Nebraska.  Federal law enforcement officers do not make the laws, but they are tasked with enforcing them, and they must be able to do so safely. Anyone who chooses to target law enforcement officers and agencies will be held accountable.”

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Protective Service, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Grand Island Police Department.

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Carinda M. Blair, 39, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 11, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Blair to 78 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Blair’s release from prison, she will begin a two-year term of supervised release.

Blair was charged as a result of her involvement with a Mexico Source of Supply (SOS) of methamphetamine and was a local courier who was distributing the SOS’s methamphetamine in Nebraska and Iowa.        

On August 17, 2023, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration surveillance observed a suspected drug courier go to Blair’s Omaha apartment and conduct a drug deal. In a subsequent search warrant on the Mexico SOS’s phone number, messages confirmed that Blair had arranged the drug deal with the SOS. Messages indicated that Blair was a regular customer of the SOS beginning in March of 2023 and was consistently buying ounces of methamphetamine from the SOS on a weekly basis.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. 

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that William Arthur Parrott, 54, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 12, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Parrott to 300 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Parrott’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

Parrott was convicted on the conspiracy charge by a Lincoln jury on January 30, 2025, after a three-day jury trial. Evidence presented at trial included testimony from three persons involved in drug distribution with Parrott between March of 2020 and November of 2022.  In addition, the Government presented text messages sent between Parrott and one of the witnesses concerning drug transactions; drugs found during a search of the witness’s hotel room; information regarding searches of residences associated with other co-conspirators; a tracker placed on a co-conspirator’s vehicle; and surveillance done by narcotics investigators.

Parrott was held responsible for the distribution of approximately 11 kilograms of methamphetamine.  He received sentencing enhancements for possession of a gun in connection with the drug offense and for using his Lincoln residence for the purpose of drug distribution

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

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Jesse T. Hill, 35, of Hickman, Nebraska, entered a plea of guilty to an Information alleging that he committed conspiracy to commit bank fraud in front of United States Magistrate Judge Jacqueline M. DeLuca. Judge DeLuca scheduled Hill’s sentencing for September 11, 2025, at 3 p.m. before United States District Court Judge Susan M. Bazis. Hill faces a maximum possible penalty of 30 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $ 1 million, and a mandatory special assessment of $100. Hill additionally has agreed to pay restitution and forfeit his interest, if any, in a property in Puerto Rico, a PC-12/47E Pilatus Aircraft, and funds in a Charles Schwab account.

Individual 1 operated a real estate business in Nebraska. Individual 1 died on November 2, 2022.

Hill was an investment advisor operating in Nebraska. In 2013, Hill organized JT Equity Trading, LLC which operated as a hedge fund until 2018. Hill then organized First SOJO Capital Group, LLC (“First SOJO”) in 2019. First SOJO was a Registered Investment Advisor in Nebraska that managed two pooled investment vehicles: Outlier Fund I, LP and Outlier Fund II, LP. First SOJO used the services of Piedmont Fund Services from late 2021 until April 2022, when Piedmont Fund Services terminated their relationship with Hill due to significant investment losses. At no point in time did Piedmont Fund Services provide services to Individual 1 or any of Individual 1’s controlled entities.

Beginning in November 2020, Hill and Individual 1 began attempting to obtain loans from financial institutions throughout Nebraska and western Iowa. The loans were sought in the name of Individual 1 and/or Individual 1’s entities. It was represented that these loans were to be used for real estate investments and the alleged collateral for the loans was an investment account of Individual 1 and/or Individual 1’s entity that was managed by Hill. Hill and Individual 1 would grant a surety with the financial institution, typically in the form of a control agreement, a commercial security agreement, or an assignment of account. Hill would falsely claim that Individual 1 and/or Individual 1’s entities were clients of his through his own investment entities JT Equity or First SOJO. Hill would prepare and present fraudulent invoices from JT Equity or Piedmont Fund Services to the financial institutions. Hill would falsely represent values of alleged funds that Individual 1 and/or an entity of Individual 1 had in an account that Hill managed. Hill would falsely represent that no other financial institution had a security interest in these fictitious accounts. Throughout the process of obtaining or attempting to obtain the loans, Hill and Individual 1 would engage with each financial institution to facilitate the loan process to include meeting with the financial institution in person, communicating by telephone, communicating by text message, or communicating by email. Hill knew that the representations being made to the financial institutions in order to obtain loans by Individual 1 and/or Individual 1’s entity were false and were being done with the intent to defraud.

As a result of this scheme, Hill and Individual 1 attempted to obtain at least $45,650,000.00 in loans from at least 19 different financial institutions.

The majority of the funds that were fraudulently obtained went into a failed investment scheme. A portion of the proceeds from fraudulent loans obtained later in the scheme were used to pay off or pay down fraudulent loans obtained earlier in the scheme. Proceeds were deposited in a Charles Schwab account, were used to purchase a property in Puerto Rico, and were used to purchase an ownership interest in a PC-12/47E Pilatus Aircraft.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Office of the Inspector General, Federal Housing Finance Agency - Office of the Inspector General, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System - Office of the Inspector General with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol, Lincoln Police Department, and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.