District of Nebraska
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Lincoln Woman Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Angela Marie Bryant, age 46, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 10, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Bryant to 37 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bryant’s release from prison, she will serve a 2-year term of supervised release.
In March of 2024, confidential informants working with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force purchased meth from Bryant’s husband, Maurice Bryant, on two occasions for an estimated total of one ounce. On April 2, 2024, a search warrant was executed at the Bryants’ Lincoln residence, and investigators found a total of approximately 59 grams of meth. Angela Bryant agreed to talk to investigators and admitted selling meth in the Lincoln area to multiple customers. She said she obtained the meth she was selling from her husband.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Distribution of FentanylRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Arnaldo L. Rodriguez Santini, age 37, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 10, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln for distribution of fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Rodriguez Santini to 216 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Rodriguez Santini’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.
On the morning of June 21, 2022, a Lincoln man was found dead at a Lincoln halfway house. A spoon containing a blue/white substance, a broken pill, and a syringe were found in the man’s room. Two additional blue pills were found in his wallet. Testing at the Nebraska State Patrol laboratory showed the pills found in the victim’s wallet and the substance on the spoon all contained fentanyl. After an autopsy was conducted, it was determined the cause of death was fentanyl toxicity.
Text messages in the victim’s phone led investigators to suspect Rodriguez Santini and his wife, Regina Rodriguez, were the sources for this fentanyl. Rodriguez Santini was interviewed by Lincoln Police officers in August of 2022 about the text messages. He admitted to providing five fentanyl pills to the victim on the day prior to the victim’s death.
Regina Rodriguez was sentenced to 240 months in prison on a related charge in September of 2023.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Last Member of Wire Fraud Conspiracy SentencedRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Bead Chan, age 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced January 8, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiring to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Chan to 4 months’ imprisonment on the wire fraud charge and 24 months’ imprisonment on the aggravated identity theft charge for a total of 28 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After Chan’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release on both charges.
A task force of Sarpy County, Douglas County, and Pottawattamie County agencies was assembled to investigate a significant spike in the Omaha and Council Bluffs metro areas in burglarized vehicles. The modus operandi of the thefts was that one member of the conspiracy would drive a vehicle slowly through a residential neighborhood while other members of the conspiracy, called “runners,” would enter vehicles parked in driveways or parked on the street outside of the residence and steal property like credit cards, identification, computers, money, and other valuables.
Bead Chan was identified as a member of this conspiracy through his Paypal account, which was linked to several unauthorized transactions using stolen victim cards.
The members of the conspiracy would take the stolen cards from the vehicles to area stores like Wal-Mart and other retailers and buy drinks, food, and prepaid cards that they would load up with money from the stolen cards. They would also purchase money orders to further conceal the source of the proceeds and the money orders would be deposited back to bank accounts or bitcoin accounts belonging to the members of the conspiracy.
Law enforcement was able to identify and arrest all five members of the conspiracy.
Co-conspirator Hassan Mohamed was sentenced on June 12, 2024, to 20 months imprisonment on the wire fraud charge and 24 months on the aggravated identity theft charge for a total of 44 months.
Co-conspirator Hazem Sarmin was sentenced on June 14, 2024, to 18 months imprisonment on the wire fraud charge and 24 months on the aggravated identity theft charge for a total of 42 months.
Co-conspirator Ian Betkie was sentenced on December 5, 2024, to 4 months imprisonment on the wire fraud charge and 24 months on the aggravated identity theft charge for a total of 28 months.
Co-conspirator and ringleader Abas Ali was sentenced on November 8, 2024, to 27 months imprisonment on the wire fraud charge and 24 months on the aggravated identity theft charge for a total of 51 months.
This case was investigated by the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Kearney Woman Sentenced to over 5 Years for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jade Summers, age 42, of Kearney, Nebraska was sentenced on January 10, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of distribution of 5 grams or more of meth. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Summers to a total of 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Summers’ release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On April 4, 2023, a Confidential Informant (“CI”) set up a controlled purchase of meth from Jade Summers. Summers agreed to sell ¼ pound of meth. Law enforcement provided the CI with $1,600 to purchase the meth and video/audio recording devices for the controlled buy. The purchase occurred in Grand Island, Nebraska. The CI purchased the meth from Summers and the meth was packaged in three baggies. The State Crime Lab confirmed that the substance was meth and that it weighed over 100 grams. The largest baggie was confirmed to have a purity of 100% and to contain at least 55 grams of meth actual.
This case was investigated by the Tri-City Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT). TRIDENT is a task force with law enforcement personnel from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Hastings Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Kearney Police Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Hastings Man Sentenced to over 2 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jesse S. Flanagan, age 36, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 10, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Flanagan to a total of 28 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Flanagan’s release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.
On September 23, 2023, Flanagan was travelling on Interstate 80 with another individual. Shortly before 4:00 a.m., two Nebraska State Troopers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. Flanagan was identified as the driver and there was another individual in the front passenger seat. Flanagan and the other individual were separated while the troopers asked questions. The front seat passenger admitted that Flanagan had handed her a bag of fentanyl pills to hide from the troopers as they were getting pulled over. The bag was seized, and it was determined that the bag contained 656 pills. The State Patrol Crime Lab confirmed the pills contained fentanyl and that the combined weight of the pills was 69.67 grams.
This case was investigated by the Tri-City Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT). TRIDENT is a task force with law enforcement personnel from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Hastings Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Kearney Police Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Omaha Woman Sentenced to 25 Months & Ordered to Pay over $337,585 in Restitution to Victims of Catfishing SchemeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Julie Okoronkwo, age 48, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on January 8, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Okoronkwo to 25 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, Okoronkwo will be placed on a 2-year term of supervised release. Okoronkwo was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $337,535.00 to six victims of her crimes.
Julie Okoronkwo and her spouse, Edwin Okoronkwo, residing in Nebraska, used “catfishing” schemes to obtain money from victims via the Internet. In doing so, they convinced victims to send money using false online social media personas. In some instances, they claimed to be high-ranking members of the United States military on overseas missions. Through the “catfishing” schemes, victims from all over the country were tricked into sending money through the United States Postal Service (USPS) and other commercial carriers such as FedEx and UPS.
The Okoronkwos used victims’ personal identifying information (PII) obtained from identity theft victims to open bank accounts and other online financial services accounts, including peer-to-peer digital payments platforms (e.g., PayPal and Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App). They directed the victims of the “catfishing” schemes to send money from the victims’ personal peer-to-peer digital payment platform accounts to the peer-to-peer digital payment platforms opened by the Okoronkwos using the names and PII of the identity theft victims. From those false accounts, the Okoronkwos would then transfer money into their personal bank accounts, to bank accounts opened using the names of identity theft victims but controlled by the Okoronkwos, or to cryptocurrency exchange platforms. Some of the money would also then be passed along to recipients overseas via international wire transfers through remittance services.
Julie Okoronkwo contacted “catfishing” victims over the phone to further convince them of the legitimacy of their need for cash, frequently purporting to be a nanny to children of the fictional online personas they’d created, who were often portrayed as members of the United States military on overseas missions. Julie Okoronkwo also obtained from her workplace – a hospital – her victims’ means of identification, including their social security numbers and Nebraska driver’s license information. The means of identification were used by the Okoronkwos in furtherance of their “catfishing” schemes. The aggregate loss to the victims was determined to be between $250,000 to $550,000.
Edwin Okoronkwo’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 29, 2025.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and FentanylRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Terrance Traynham, age 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced January 8, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 100 grams or more of marijuana, and fentanyl. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Aaron to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Traynham is released from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
Beginning in July 2016, and continuing until approximately July 18, 2020, Terrance Traynham was part of an agreement with other individuals to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute meth, fentanyl, and marijuana in the Omaha area. Traynham distributed 2 kilograms of meth, 130 kilograms of marijuana, and 58 grams of fentanyl during the conspiracy.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Man Sentenced for Firearm and Drug Trafficking CrimesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kim T. Duluony, age 32, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on January 8, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Duluony to 60 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge and a consecutive 60 months’ imprisonment on the firearm charge, for a total sentence of 120 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After Duluony is released from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On March 9, 2023, members of the Omaha Metro Fugitive Task Force went to an Omaha home to look for a wanted party. While searching for the wanted fugitive they had contact with Kim Duluony, who also lived at the home. A search of the home revealed numerous firearms and narcotics. The wanted party was not located.
Within Duluony’s room, officers found two firearms, marijuana, and cocaine. A Glock 23 pistol equipped with a Glock Switch which enabled the pistol to fire fully automatically was located in a bag inside the closet. A second Glock switch was also found in the room. A second Glock 23 pistol was also found in a black nylon bag on the floor. Officers discovered a cardboard box in the corner of the bedroom which contained a bag of marijuana and a Newport cigarette pack which contained ten small baggies of powder cocaine each weighing 1 gram and consistent with narcotics trafficking.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Omaha Police Department and United States Marshals Service Omaha Metro Fugitive Task Force.
Walthill, Nebraska Man Sentenced for Domestic Assault by an Habitual OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Shaquille Moniz, age 31, of Walthill, Nebraska, was sentenced January 3, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for domestic assault by an habitual offender in Indian Country. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Moniz to 37 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Moniz’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
In April 2024, Moniz assaulted his then-girlfriend resulting in substantial bodily injury. At the time that Moniz committed the assault on his girlfriend, he had already been convicted on multiple occasions of domestic violence offenses in state and tribal courts.
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.
Man Sentenced in Fentanyl Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Taft Burtton, age 52, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced January 3, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute 10 grams or more of fentanyl. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Burtton to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Burtton’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On February 15, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration Overdose Task Force was executing a search warrant at a residence known for selling fentanyl in Omaha.
The suspects at the residence told law enforcement that their source of fentanyl was Burtton. Law enforcement, acting in a undercover capacity, enticed Burtton to come to the residence. Burtton showed up to the residence with 99 grams of fentanyl and was arrested.
This case was primarily investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Lexington Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jaime Ramos-Gonzalez, age 64, of Lexington, Nebraska was sentenced January 3, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for his involvement for distributing methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Ramos-Gonzalez to 135 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
Beginning in the summer of 2023, investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol identified Jaime Ramos-Gonzalez as a distributor of meth in Lexington/Kearney area. A vehicle tracking device was placed on Ramos-Gonzalez’s vehicle which monitored his travels. On September 20, 2023, the tracker indicated that Ramos-Gonzalez’s vehicle was traveling from Kearney to Omaha. A search warrant was obtained and was executed when Ramos-Gonzalez returned to Kearney. After being stopped, Ramos-Gonzalez admitted to investigators that there was two pounds of meth in the car. A search resulted in 970 grams of pure methamphetamine being recovered.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Drug Dealer Receives 106-Month Sentence After Selling Quarter-Pound of Methamphetamine to an Undercover AgentRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Sherice Dismang, age 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 3, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Dismang to 106 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Dismang’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On February 27, 2023, law enforcement set up a controlled drug transaction against Dismang in Omaha, Nebraska. During the controlled drug transaction, Dismang met with her source of supply and acquired the 100 grams of lab-confirmed actual meth which she then turnaround and sold directly to the undercover agent.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Distributing Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Lucas Ehly, age 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced December 20, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for two crimes, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Ehly to 57 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ehly’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
In June and July of 2023, Ehly twice sold fentanyl pills to a confidential informant. The sales were arranged by co-defendant Rafael Magana. On July 24, 2023, agents executed search warrants at Ehly’s and Magana’s residences. Agents seized seven fentanyl pills from Ehly’s bedroom. At Magana’s residence, agents found more than 1,000 fentanyl pills and seized $6,680 cash. In Magana’s storage unit, searched pursuant to consent, agents found another 13,800 fentanyl pills.
After his arrest and after being advised of his rights, Ehly admitted to participating in fentanyl pill transactions that Magana coordinated. Ehly told agents he would be compensated with fentanyl pills from Magana for selling fentanyl pills to Magana’s customers.
Magana, age 31, of Omaha was sentenced to 180 months in prison on December 13, 2024. The $6,680 cash has been ordered forfeited to the United States as proceeds of illegal drug trafficking. A third co-defendant, Zacharie Stinson, 31, of Omaha, was sentenced in September to 57 months in prison.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Omaha Metro Drug Task Force.
Council Bluffs Woman Sentenced to 14 Months & Ordered to Pay over $150,000 in Restitution to Vulnerable Victim of Access Device FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Ashtin D. Schutjer, age 36, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced on December 20, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for access device fraud. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Schutjer to 14 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, Schutjer will be placed on a 3-year term of supervised release. Schutjer was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $151,693.74.00 to Victim 1 as a result of her crimes.
Schutjer began working as a caregiver for an elderly married couple, Victim 1 and Victim 2, in 2014. Defendant was paid via check daily for her services. One of Schutjer's jobs was to run errands for the victims, and Schutjer had access to the victims' First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) debit card and account information. The FNBO card was the only card used by the victims.
The co-branded Chase/Amazon credit card (an access device) was opened under a derivative form of Victim 2’s name at the beginning of 2018. Victim 1 was not listed on the account or as an authorized user of the card. Victim 2 passed away on August 3, 2018. Use of the Chase/Amazon card continued and accelerated after Victim 2’s death. Records show purchases on the Chase/Amazon card include airline tickets (purchased for the defendant and her family), a Microsoft Xbox, Amazon purchases, and restaurant and grocery purchases in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where the defendant resides. Payments on the Chase/Amazon credit card were drawn from the Victim 1’s FNBO checking account. Over a three-year period, 2018 through 2021, over $150,000 was charged to the Chase/Amazon credit card. None of the charges on the Chase/Amazon credit card were incurred by Victim 1.
Schutjer used the Chase/Amazon card to pay for purchases made on her Amazon customer accounts, listing Victim 2’s name as the party to be billed at her own residential address. The order history showed multiple orders placed using the Chase/Amazon card and shipped to the defendant’s home, the victims’ home, and other addresses. Many of the items purchased were children’s clothes and toys. Other items include an Apple laptop, shipped under Victim 1’s name to Schutjer’s home address; Apple AirPods, shipped to defendant’s mother in Florida; and an Apple iPad, shipped to the defendant at her home address.
Victim 1’s FNBO account was entirely depleted because of Schutjer’s crime. In sentencing Schutjer to imprisonment for 14 months, Chief Judge Rossiter told her, “You took away everything this woman (Victim 1) had.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Woman Sentenced for Felony Child AbuseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Danielle Cleary, age 29, of Vermont, but recently living in Pender, Nebraska, on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation, was sentenced December 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for child abuse. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Cleary to 33 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Cleary’s release from prison, she will begin a 1-year term of supervised release.
On January 11, 2023, Cleary struck a 3-year-old minor child in the head with a large toy causing severe head trauma to the child. The minor child was life-flighted from the hospital in Pender to Children’s Nebraska in Omaha, where he was treated for his life-threatening injuries. The minor child ultimately recovered and was released from the hospital a month later. Cleary initially denied causing the minor child’s injury, but later admitted to striking the child in the head pleading guilty to negligent child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury.
This case was prosecuted in federal court because the victim was Native American (or Indian) and Cleary is not an Indian, and the offense occurred on a Native American Reservation giving rise to federal jurisdiction.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Woman Sentenced for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Daniella M. Fedail, age 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced December 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for distributing methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Fedail to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Fedail’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On November 15, 2023, DEA confidential source (CS) made a controlled purchase of 1 pound of meth. The CS first met with Hanna Faust aka “Williams” at a buy location in mid-town Omaha. Faust then made a call to her supplier who advised that a silver Impala would be arriving. Fedail drove to the parking lot and accepted the buy money and handed over the drug package containing 464 grams of meth.
On December 21, 2023, DEA obtained a federal search warrant for Fedail’s Omaha home. She was arrested and read her Miranda rights. She acknowledged engaging in narcotics trafficking.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 151 Months for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Edward Charles Lynch, age 76, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Lynch to 151 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Lynch’s release from prison, he will begin an 8-year term of supervised release. Judge Buescher ordered Lynch to pay $114,000 in restitution and $7,600 in special assessments.
On June 16, 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received information from Microsoft Bing Image - Online Operations about images of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct being uploaded by a user of the online service. Law enforcement identified the IP address associated with the file upload and determined the subscriber assigned the IP address was Lynch. The IP address was associated with Lynch’s residence in Omaha.
On October 19, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Lynch’s residence and seized a computer belonging to Lynch. A forensic review of Lynch’s computer identified 443,731 images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Lynch was previously convicted on or about November 1, 1996, of Sexual Assault of Child in Sarpy County, Nebraska.
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.
Omaha Man Sentenced for COVID-19 Relief Program FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Henry T. Lewis, age 57, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for wire fraud. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Lewis to five years’ probation and ordered him to pay $210,846.26 in restitution, with credit for $20,000.00 Lewis paid before sentencing.
During 2020 and 2021, Lewis, assisted by another person, submitted applications for Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) program loans. Those loan programs were created or expanded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, which was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The applications misrepresented how much Lewis’s business had paid employees in past compensation and how much revenue Lewis’s business had received, resulting in applications for significantly inflated loan amounts under the PPP and EIDL programs. The PPP applications were supported by false tax documents Lewis had signed. The fraudulent applications on behalf of Lewis sought loans totaling approximately $348,494.50, and he obtained $195,497.00.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General.
Woman Sentenced for Distributing Methamphetamine with a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Alondra Rebolledo, age 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced December 18, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Rebolledo to 235 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge and a consecutive 60 months’ imprisonment on the firearm charge, for a total sentence of 295 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After Rebolledo’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On May 24, 2023, a confidential source coordinated a controlled purchase of 111 grams of meth from codefendant Shelby English. To make the purchase, the confidential source drove to the residence at 45th block of N. 41st Street, Omaha, and entered the residence with English. Inside the residence, the confidential source and English encountered a Hispanic female later identified as the defendant, Alondra Rebolledo, who
weighed out the meth and gave it to English, who then gave it to the confidential source. Forensic laboratory testing confirmed the substance as meth. A search warrant was later executed on the home, resulting in the seizure of several pounds of meth, cocaine, marijuana, THC derivatives, a firearm and ammunition.
Shelby English pled guilty to distributing meth. On July 17, 2024, she was sentenced to 130 months custody with 5 years of supervised release to follow.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Possession of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Justin Burney, age 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced December 18, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Burney to 104 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Burney’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.
On August 15, 2022, Omaha police stopped a car driven by Burney. As officers approached the vehicle, they could see a baggie of meth in the driver’s area. Later search of the car uncovered a total of two baggies of meth, empty individual baggies, and a digital scale. Burney also had $870 cash.
Laboratory testing of the meth confirmed the baggies contained 26 grams of actual meth. At the time of the offense, Burney was on parole for a felony meth conviction from Douglas County District Court.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Distributing Fentanyl and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Seth Coufal, age 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced December 18, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Coufal to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Coufal is released from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
In December 2022, Coufal distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine to another individual in Elkhorn, Nebraska. That individual used the drugs and subsequently overdosed but survived.
This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Lincoln Woman Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Dacia Leytham, age 32, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 18, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with a serious prior drug felony conviction. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Harris to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Harris’ release from prison, she will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.
On August 10, 2022, Leytham was a passenger in an SUV stopped by Lincoln Police Department officers after she agreed to sell meth to an undercover narcotics investigator. Leytham’s backpack was searched, and investigators found baggies containing a total of at least 430 grams of pure meth. Leytham later agreed to talk to investigators and admitted she had sold a total of approximately 10 ounces of meth over the prior month.
At the time of her arrest, Leytham had a prior felony conviction related to the distribution of meth for which she was sentenced to four to six years by the Douglas County District Court in June of 2019.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Garland Man Sentenced in Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Steven Butler, age 54, of Garland, Nebraska, was sentenced December 17, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge Joseph Bataillon sentenced Butler to 108 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Butler’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On May 6, 2022, Steven Butler sold meth to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The meth weighed approximately 57.4 grams.
On May 12, 2022, investigators were surveilling Butler’s residence and observed him to leave in a vehicle. Knowing he had a suspended license, a Deputy from Seward County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle Butler was driving. Butler admitted to using meth and agreed to let investigators go to his residence to collect the meth he had there. Butler unlocked the cabinet and investigators located a cigar box with three separate baggies of meth. The bags each weighed 6.9 grams, 4.8 grams and 3.8 grams. Butler admitted that he had been distributing meth to other individuals.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Former Latino Peace Officers Association Fundraiser Sentenced for Wire Fraud Conspiracy and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jack Olson, age 68, formerly of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced on December 17, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and tax evasion. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Olson to a total of 33 months’ imprisonment: 21 months for the conspiracy charge and 12 months for tax evasion. The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively. There is no parole in the federal system. After Olson’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Senior Judge Gerrard ordered Olson to pay $136,178.75 in restitution.
Between 2017 and April 2023, Olson conspired to defraud the Latino Peace Officers Association (LPOA) for his own personal benefit. Olson, a/k/a “Cody Jones,” would solicit funds from individuals and entities in the District of Nebraska on behalf of LPOA. LPOA donor letters represented that “every penny” of the donations went to athletic programs to keep target youths out of gangs and to other LPOA causes. The LPOA website similarly represented that 100% of donations went to athletic programs for children. As part of the conspiracy to defraud the LPOA, the percentage of LPOA donations Olson kept for himself increased from 65% of gross donations to 80% of gross donations without LPOA board approval. Olson spent a significant amount of those funds on himself and others for personal expenses unrelated to business dealings.
Between 2018 and 2021, while soliciting funds for the LPOA, Olson also conducted business using extensive amounts of cash and avoided making records that would allow the IRS to ascertain his tax liability for his fundraising business. Despite being paid 65% to 80% of donated funds to LPOA, Olson failed to file income tax returns for tax years 2018 through 2021, resulting in a federal tax loss of $95,705.
Co-defendants Johnny Palermo, age 48, of Omaha, was sentenced in April 2024 to 24 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and Richard Gonzalez, age 56, of Papillion, Nebraska, was sentenced in January 2024 to 18 months’ imprisonment for the conspiracy charge. Both were ordered to pay restitution: $65,014.67 for Palermo; and $66,749.35 for Gonzalez.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS Criminal Investigations.
Council Bluffs Man Sentenced for Receipt and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Cameron S. Hurd, age 34, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced on December 13, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for distribution and receipt of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Hurd to 84 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Hurd will be placed on a 5-year term of supervised release. Hurd was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,000.00 to four identified victims of his crimes.
This investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) began with a “cyber tip” received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding suspicious internet activity. NCMEC’s resulting report to the NSP indicated that 16 files containing child pornography were uploaded from Hurd’s internet protocol (IP) address to Kik, a free instant messaging mobile app, on or about November 19, 2021, during a chat with another user.
On August 25, 2022, NSP served a warrant to search for child pornography at Hurd’s residence in Douglas County, Nebraska. Investigators seized Hurd’s cellphone for forensic examination. Forensic examination of the Hurd’s phone revealed approximately 30 videos of child pornography associated with the Kik Messenger application on the device, including at least one video depicting a toddler being sexually assaulted by an adult male.
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.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Possession of Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Rafael Magana, age 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced December 13, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for three drug trafficking crimes involving fentanyl, including possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Magana to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Magana’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.
An investigation that began in March 2023 identified Magana as a supplier of fentanyl pills in Omaha. A confidential informant made four buys of fentanyl pills after the informant contacted Magana. Magana’s residence was searched pursuant to a warrant on July 24, 2023. Agents found more than 1,000 fentanyl pills and seized $6,680 cash. At the residence, agents also found paperwork for a storage unit. Magana gave consent to search the storage unit, which uncovered another 13,800 fentanyl pills.
Magana faced an enhancement mandatory minimum for the possession charge because of a 2015 federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. The $6,680 cash will be ordered forfeited to the United States as proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.
The indictment also charged Magana and two co-defendants with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Zacharie Stinson, age 31, of Omaha pleaded guilty and was sentenced in September to 57 months in prison. Lucas Ehly, age 31, of Omaha has pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced December 20, 2024.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Omaha Metro Drug Task Force.
Iowa Man Sentenced to 90 Months & Ordered to Pay $80,000 in Restitution to Victims for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Marty B. Jay Johnson, age 44, of Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced on December 12, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possession of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Johnson to 90 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Johnson will be placed on a 5-year term of supervised release. Johnson was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $80,000.00 to twenty identified victims of his crimes.
This investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) began with a “cyber tip” received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding suspicious internet activity. NCMEC’s resulting report to the NSP indicated that twenty-four files containing child pornography (videos and single image files) were uploaded from Johnson’s internet protocol (IP) address to Kik, a free instant messaging mobile app, between April 27, 2021, and August 3, 2021.
On March 22, 2022, NSP served a warrant to search for child pornography at the Johnson’s residence. Investigators seized sixteen devices for forensic examination. Forensic examination of the devices yielded over 7,000 artifacts of child pornography on the various devices including 2,155 minutes of videos showing child pornography. There were over 6,700 child pornography image files and 285 videos of child pornography. The content included images of infants and toddlers, children less than 12 years of age, bestiality involving children, sadism and masochism involving children, and children 12 years of age and older. Twenty-seven known victims were identified by hash value comparison of the digital files, of whom twenty sought restitution.
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.
North Platte Woman Sentenced to over 3 Years for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jessica Binegar, a/k/a “Jessica Keo”, age 38, of North Platte, Nebraska was sentenced on December 12, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of distribution of 5 grams or more of meth. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Binegar to a total of 43 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Binegar’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
Beginning in 2021, the FBI and CODE Drug Task Force opened an investigation into drug trafficking in the North Platte area. March of 2022, law enforcement set up a controlled buy over Facebook with a Confidential Informant (“CI”). In the course of the buy, Binegar was observed approaching the buy location. She was also heard on the recorded audio associated with the buy. Through surveillance and debriefings, law enforcement learned that Binegar was the source of the meth that was sold during the controlled buy.
The meth purchased by the CI was turned over to law enforcement and sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab, where it was confirmed to be 12.9 grams of meth with 100% purity for 12 grams of actual meth.
Subsequently, law enforcement was able to conduct three additional controlled buys with Binegar, all for meth.
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, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office, Frontier County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
North Platte Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Joey G, Romero, age 37, of North Platte, was sentenced on December 12, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Romero to a total of 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Romero’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
Between July 2022 and February 2023, Romero, Jamie Hopkins, Michael Stroble, Luke Schwartz, and others conspired to sell meth in and around North Platte, Nebraska. The group was responsible for the distribution of pounds of meth and was subject to multiple controlled buys, search warrants, and arrests. During the life of the conspiracy, a Confidential Informant (“CI”) made purchases from each co-conspirator.
In July and August 2022, a CI made five controlled buys from Hopkins and Romero. In these buys, the CI purchased 26 grams of meth and 10 pills. The pills later tested positive for meth and fentanyl.
In addition to the CI, three other informants provided information on Romero’s role in the conspiracy.
Schwartz was sentenced August 22, 2024, to 120 months imprisonment. Hopkins was sentenced on October 17, 2024, to 120 months imprisonment.
Stroble’s case is pending and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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 (FBI), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Nigerian National Extradited to Nebraska to Face Fraud Scheme ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced the extradition of Abiola Kayode, 37, of Nigeria, to the District of Nebraska on a Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Indictment, filed in August 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska. In April 2023, law enforcement authorities in the Republic of Ghana arrested Kayode pursuant to a U.S. request for his extradition. Ghanaian authorities ultimately granted this request and surrendered Kayode to FBI special agents who brought him to the District of Nebraska. Kayode had an initial appearance on the Indictment on December 11, 2024. United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson ordered Kayode remain detained pending trial.
Kayode, who was on the FBI’s Most Wanted Cyber Criminal List, is alleged to have participated in a business email compromise (BEC) scheme from January 2015 to September 2016. The BEC scheme defrauded businesses in the District of Nebraska and elsewhere of more than $6 million. According to the indictment, Kayode’s co-conspirators posed as the chief executive officer, president, owner, or other executive of the targeted company. Using e-mail accounts spoofed to make it appear as though they were from the company’s true business executive, Kayode’s co-conspirators directed business employees or recipients of the e-mail to complete wire transfers. The business employees, believing the requests were legitimate, complied with the wire transfer requests and wired the money as instructed by Kayode’s co-conspirators.
It is alleged Kayode provided bank account information to the co-conspirators who sent the fraudulent e-mails, and which directed business employees to wire money to accounts controlled by Kayode and others. These bank accounts largely belonged to victims of internet romance scams, who were instructed by co-conspirators to transfer the funds to other bank accounts.
Some of Kayode’s co-conspirators have already been convicted and sentenced. Adewale Aniyeloye, one of the fraudsters sending the spoofed e-mails to the target business, was sentenced in February 2019 to 96 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $1,570,938.05 in restitution. Pelumi Fawehinimi, a bank account facilitator, was sentenced in March 2019 to 72 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $1,014,159.60 in restitution. Onome Ijomone, a romance scammer, was sentenced in January 2020 to 60 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $508,934.40 in restitution after his successful extradition from Poland. Other co-conspirators remain at large. Alex Ogunshakin, a co-conspirator who provided bank accounts for the scheme, was sentenced to 45 months’ imprisonment in October 2024 after his successful extradition from Nigeria.
“Four years ago, we identified six Nigerian nationals suspected of defrauding individual victims and businesses in Nebraska and other states of millions of dollars,” said FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “Today, Abiola Kayode is the second of those co-conspirators to be extradited to stand trial in Nebraska. Our message to the remaining four co-conspirators; we are coming for you. Dismantling cyber-criminal groups that victimize U.S. citizens is a priority for the FBI, DOJ, and our international law enforcement partners. The FBI, working together with our partners in Ghana, particularly the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, the Ghana Police Service - INTERPOL, and the Ghana Immigration Service, will continue to pursue and bring to justice criminals who engage in Business Email Compromise and other fraud schemes.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing Kayode’s extradition.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 35 Months’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Adrian A. Garcia-Marin, age 33, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced December 11, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, after having pled guilty to distributing methamphetamine. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Garcia-Marin to 35 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Garcia-Marin’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On February 25, 2022, law enforcement utilized a confidential informant (CI) who ordered a quantity of meth from Garcia-Marin. The CI met with Garcia-Marin at the Nebraska Furniture Mart parking lot in Omaha where he delivered six pounds of meth to the informant. Garcia-Marin was arrested immediately after the delivery.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Kearney Man Sentenced for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Shelby Olson, age 46, of Kearney, Nebraska, was sentenced December 10, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for distributing 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Olson to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Olson is released from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On June 23, 2022, a confidential informant (CI) purchased 57.2 grams of meth from Olson. On June 30, 2022, the CI purchased 57.6 grams of meth from Olson. On July 7, 2022, the CI purchased 60.2 grams of meth from Olson.
All purchases were audio and video recorded with a positive identification of Olson. The first purchase occurred in a commercial motor vehicle, and Olson was recorded smoking meth while he was driving.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Twenty-One-Year-Old Sentenced in Wire Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Ian Betkie, age 21, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on December 5, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for conspiring to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Betkie to 4 months imprisonment on the wire fraud charge and 24 months on the aggravated identity theft charge for a total of 28 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After Betkie’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release on both charges.
A task force of Sarpy County, Douglas County, and Pottawattamie County agencies was assembled to investigate a significant spike in the Omaha and Council Bluffs metro areas in burglarized vehicles. The modus operandi of the thefts was that one member of the conspiracy would drive a vehicle slowly through a residential neighborhood while other members of the conspiracy, called “runners,” would enter into vehicles parked in driveways or parked on the street outside of the residence and steal property like credit cards, identification, computers, money, and other valuables.
The members of the conspiracy would then take the stolen cards from the vehicles to area stores like Wal-Mart and other retailers and buy drinks, food, and prepaid cards that they would load up with money from the stolen cards. They would also purchase money orders to further conceal the source of the proceeds and the money orders would be deposited back to bank accounts or bitcoin accounts belonging to the members of the conspiracy.
Law enforcement was able to identify and arrest all five members of the conspiracy.
Co-conspirator Hassan Mohamed was sentenced on June 12, 2024, to 20 months imprisonment on the wire fraud charge and 24 months on the aggravated identity theft charge for a total of 44 months.
Co-conspirator Hazem Sarmin was sentenced on June 14, 2024, to 18 months imprisonment on the wire fraud charge and 24 months on the aggravated identity theft charge for a total of 42 months.
Co-conspirator Abas Ali was sentenced on November 8, 2024, to 27 months imprisonment on the wire fraud charge and 24 months on the aggravated identity theft charge for a total of 51 months.
Co-conspirator Bead Chan will be sentenced January 3, 2025. He pled guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
This case was investigated by the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Woman Sentenced to more than 10 Years’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jessica Hernandez, age 36, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on December 5, 2024, in federal court in Omaha after having pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of meth. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Hernandez to 126 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hernandez’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On May 19, 2022, Omaha Police Department officers executed a search warrant on a South Omaha residence. Jessica Hernandez and codefendant Jose Arevalo-Villalobos were encountered leaving the residence prior to the search and were allowed to leave. The search revealed one pound of meth hidden in a bedroom with used by Hernandez. An additional 4 pounds of meth were found in a storage room. The investigation revealed that Hernandez and Arevalo-Villalobos, her boyfriend, had been living at the residence for approximately two weeks and paying the owner to store meth there.
A firearm was found in a lockbox hidden in the basement that investigators determined belonged to Arevalo-Villalobos, who was sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment on January 19, 2024.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Lincoln Woman Sentenced to over 4 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Wren G. Chamberlain, age 22, of Lincoln, Nebraska was sentenced on December 5, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Chamberlain to a total of 51 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Chamberlain’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On August 12, 2023, a Confidential Informant (“CI”) helped law enforcement arrange a controlled purchase of M30 pills from Aidan Glenn. Glenn informed the CI that he was going to meet with Michael Smith at a location in Lincoln to get more pills. Law enforcement arrested Glenn, Chamberlain, and Smith.
Chamberlain agreed to speak with law enforcement and consented to a search of her cellphone. She admitted that she and Glenn arrange M30 purchases from Smith together. Her phone showed extensive conversations with Glenn, Smith, Chase Hartung, and others coordinating purchases and sales of M30s dating back to at least July 1, 2023. Chamberlain and Glenn’s phones show that they worked together to arrange purchases and sales.
Chamberlain bonded out shortly after her arrest and began working with another individual to sell M30s and fill the void in the market left by Smith’s arrest. The two were arrested on November 28, 2023, with 13.8 grams of cocaine, 29.13 grams of heroin, 9.29 grams of psilocyn, and 190 M30 pills (the pills weighed approximately .1 grams each).
Michael Smith is currently set for a change of plea hearing on December 11, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline M. DeLuca.
Chase Hartung is currently set for a court hearing on December 19, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline M. DeLuca.
Aidan Glenn is currently set for sentencing on January 9, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Susan M. Bazis.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.
Mexican Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Gabriel Beltran-Lopez, age 38, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced November 25, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possessing 27 pounds of methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Beltran-Lopez to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On May 8, 2021, a deputy with the York County Sheriff’s Office stopped Beltran-Lopez for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, Beltran-Lopez consented to a search of his vehicle. The search resulted in 27 pounds of pure meth being found in the vehicle. The DEA assisted in the investigation, and Beltran-Lopez was replaced as the driver by an undercover agent. The vehicle was then driven to Omaha, where it went to an address found in the vehicle. Jose Hernandez-Gomez came out of the residence and gave the undercover agent $6000 for the meth, after which he too was arrested.
Hernandez-Gomez was sentenced on August 18, 2023, to a 135-month term of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the York County Sheriff’s Office, the DEA, and the Omaha Police Department.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Robert Vincent Harris, age 57, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 25, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Harris to 240 months’ imprisonment on each count to run concurrently (together). There is no parole in the federal system. After Harris’ release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Harris was convicted on both counts by Judge Gerrard in August of 2024 after a non-jury trial.
The United States presented evidence at trial showing Harris and the victim were at a social gathering on February 14, 2024, and decided to walk to a nearby convenience store to purchase alcoholic beverages. Harris had offered to sell the victim some heroin about a week before this incident. On the way to the convenience store, the victim asked Harris if he still had heroin available. He said he did, and they stopped at his Lincoln apartment, where Harris drew out a line of a powder substance and both he and the victim snorted some of the powder. Harris and the victim then walked to the convenience store where the victim bought some alcohol while Harris waited outside. After purchasing the alcohol, the victim and Harris left the store to return to the social gathering, but the victim passed out. Lincoln Fire & Rescue responded after being called by a clerk at the convenience store and they administered Narcan to the victim. The victim woke up in the ambulance on the way to the hospital and was interviewed by investigators after her release from the hospital.
On February 15, 2024, a search warrant was obtained for Harris’s apartment. During the search, investigators found powder on a mirror and cut off straws matching descriptions given by the victim. Harris ultimately admitted he provided the fentanyl powder to the victim. Harris said after the victim’s overdose, he went home and used the rest of the fentanyl powder. On February 15th, he bought more of what he believed was heroin from his source and said the powder found during the search of his apartment was what remained from that quantity. Harris’s phone contained text messages from February 15th in which he talked about the victim’s overdose the night before and in which he agreed to obtain and sell drugs to a third person on that date.
Testing at the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab later showed fentanyl in the victim’s urine sample. Powder seized from Harris’s apartment tested positive for fentanyl, meth, cocaine, and heroin. A medical expert reviewed the case, determined the victim suffered an overdose due to the use of fentanyl, and stated it was likely that the victim would have died or would have suffered serious debilitating injury without the prompt administration of Narcan.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force, the Nebraska State Patrol, and Lincoln Fire & Rescue.
Winnebago Woman Sentenced for Child AbuseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Lauren Sherman, age 32, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 22, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, committing child abuse in Indian Country. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Sherman to 15 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Sherman’s release from prison, she will begin a 1-year term of supervised release.
In March 2023, Sherman committed an intentional assault upon a minor child. The minor child had bruising, which was observed at the school. Later investigation revealed Sherman physically assaulted the child, which was the source of the bruising.
This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offense was a felony and occurred on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Conspiring to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Joshua Finken, age 46, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on November 22, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Finken to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Finken will be required to complete a 5-year term of supervised release. Finken also forfeited $17,282.00 as proceeds obtained as a result of his participation in the meth distribution conspiracy.
On September 27, 2022, investigators executed a warrant to search a residence on South 45th Street in Omaha, where Finken and James Graves resided. Investigators found a safe in Graves’s upstairs bedroom containing a small quantity of meth. Finken resided in the basement of the residence, where investigators found several ounces of meth, three realistic appearing Airsoft pellet guns, and drug proceeds in the amount of $17,282.00. Graves was present at the time of the search and was arrested. Finken was not present and was therefore not immediately arrested.
Finken was arrested nearly a month later on October 23, 2022, when Omaha Police Department officers responded to a motorcycle accident at South 45th Street and Leavenworth Street in Omaha. When officers arrived, Finken, who had crashed into construction cones, was running away on foot from the scene. Officers arrested him. Finken left a backpack at the scene of a motorcycle accident. The bag was searched and found to contain several more ounces of meth.
On August 29, 2023, Chief Judge Rossiter sentenced James Graves to imprisonment for 151 months, to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Transnational Organized Crime (TOC-West) Task Force, the Bellevue Police Department, and the Omaha Police Department.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 140 Months for Receipt and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Matthew Lordemann, age 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 21, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for receipt and distribution of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Lordemann to 140 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Lordemann will be placed on a 5-year term of supervised release. Lordemann was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $45,500.00 to thirteen identified victims of his crimes.
This investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol began with series of four “cyber tips” received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding suspicious Internet activity. Lordemann’s cell phone number was common to the information contained in all the CyberTipline reports subsequently generated by NCMEC and provided to the Nebraska State Patrol. Investigators were thereafter able to determine Lordemann’s address in Omaha.
Investigators served a search warrant for the contents of Lordemann’s Verizon Cloud account, which contained media files depicting child pornography and on February 24, 2022, the Nebraska State Patrol served a warrant to search for child pornography at Lordemann’s residence in Omaha. Investigators seized fourteen electronic devices for forensic examination. The investigator reviewed the extracted contents of Lordemann’s phone and found evidence of Lordemann’s purchase of child pornography files from a Telegram app user in a messaging exchange. The user sent Lordemann more than 500 video files depicting children in a variety of sexual acts.
The investigator reviewed media on Lordemann’s phone and determined there were thousands of files depicting child pornography. The content of these files included video files portraying infants subjected to sexual abuse, to include penetration, video files portraying pre-pubescent children subjected to sado-masochistic sexual activities, and video files portraying children subjected to bestiality. Fifteen known victims were identified by hash value comparison of the digital files, many of whom sought restitution.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Transporting Drugs via AmtrakRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Matthew Glenn Eriksen, age 45, of Lincoln, Nebraska was sentenced on November 21, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture and a detectable amount of marijuana. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Eriksen to 121months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Eriksen’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force investigators received information indicating Matthew Eriksen was transporting drugs to Lincoln from Denver, Colorado, on Amtrak and that Eriksen and his girlfriend would be arriving in Lincoln on December 6, 2023. On that date, investigators contacted Eriksen and his girlfriend as they got off the Amtrak train in Lincoln with multiple pieces of luggage. Eriksen had a backpack, a rolling luggage bag, and a duffel bag. His girlfriend had a purse, a backpack, and a rolling luggage bag. She admitted she had a small amount of marijuana in her purse. A search of her luggage resulted in the finding of approximately ¼ ounce of meth, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Eriksen denied having any drugs. A search warrant was obtained for Eriksen’s bags. During the search of those bags, investigators found plastic bags containing meth, marijuana, additional plastic bags, and a scale. Testing at the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab showed a total of 2.25 kilograms, (approximately five pounds), of meth mixture.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Former Alliance, Nebraska Man Sentenced to Nearly 22 Years for Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Tyler Denby, 39, formerly of Alliance, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 21, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Denby to 262 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Denby’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
On July 30th of 2021, Alliance Police Department received two separate calls for assistance concerning an individual threatening others in the Alliance area. Denby, who was then a Montana resident visiting the town of Alliance, was identified as the suspect, and was contacted at a local gas station. During the encounter, responding officers gained probable cause to search Denby’s vehicle when a marijuana pipe was spotted in his pocket. A stolen firearm was then located on Denby’s person. During the search of his vehicle, a large number of electronic devices, and a pillowcase filled with stained children’s underwear, were discovered by the searching law enforcement officers with the Alliance Police Department and Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office. The items were seized from the vehicle and Denby was arrested for several state crimes.
A search warrant was received for the numerous electronic devices. The devices were later reviewed by the Alliance Police Department. Three microSD cards which had been located in Denby’s wallet contained a substantial amount of child pornography files. While Denby was in custody, he was interviewed by law enforcement, and he admitted to having child pornography on those devices. He also admitted to travelling from Montana to Nebraska with the child pornography on his devices.
The case proceeded to a jury trial in August of 2024, and Denby was convicted of possessing and transporting child pornography.
In pronouncing Denby’s sentence, Judge Bazis told him “There is no question in my mind you are a danger to the public and to children.” Stressing the need of a sentence to protect the public, the Judge also commented “I don’t think you think you did anything.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the Alliance Police Department.
Fairbury Man Sentenced for Possession of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Nicholas Heitman, age 38, of Fairbury, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 21, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. United Sates District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Heitman to 188 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Heitman’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Heitman was also ordered to forfeit $4,580.00 in cash to the United States.
On December 6, 2022, Heitman was driving a vehicle with no license plates or in-transits. He was stopped by police and did not have a driver’s license or the title of the vehicle with him. Heitman had an active warrant for his arrest for felony theft out of Jefferson County, Nebraska. When the officer advised Heitman to place his hands behind his back, he resisted.
During the search of Heitman’s pants pockets, officers located a large bag of meth which pre-tested positive for the substance. The bag weighed approximately 73.7 grams. Officers searched the vehicle and found $4,580 in US currency in the center console.
The drugs were sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab for purity testing. A forensic scientist found the bag of meth to contain at least 72 grams of pure methamphetamine.
While Heitman was detained in the Gage County jail, investigators reviewed his phone calls. Heitman, while on a recorded line from jail, told others about additional meth and a gun he had hidden.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol, the Gage County Sheriff’s Office, the Beatrice Police Department, and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.
California Man Sentenced to 70 Months for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Valentin Mendoza Jr., age 44, of San Bernadino, California, was sentenced on November 21, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of a methamphetamine mixture. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Mendoza to 70 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Mendoza’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.
On February 3, 2023, a Seward County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle traveling east bound on Interstate 80 in Seward County, Nebraska, for following too closely. The driver was identified as Mendoza. While preparing and completing the paperwork for the traffic stop, the deputy spoke to Mendoza about his travels. Mendoza said he was traveling from San Bernadino to Minnesota. Mendoza could not remember which city in Minnesota he was going to. Mendoza claimed to be going to a party, transporting DJ equipment for the party, which was supposed to be the next day. Mendoza said he left California the day before and drove through the night. Mendoza said a friend had rented the vehicle and the friend was driving separately to meet him in Minnesota.
The deputy suspected Mendoza was engaged in criminal activity. After issuing Mendoza the written warning for following too closely and a verbal warning for an unsafe lane change, the deputy asked Mendoza if he could ask Mendoza some more questions and Mendoza agreed. Mendoza said there were no drugs, weapons or large amounts of the currency in the vehicle and then he consented to a search of the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle was conducted, and concealed inside the door panels of the of the vehicle were 14 wrapped packages containing methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Walthill Woman Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Dawnika Walker, age 30, of Walthill, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 20, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Walker to 80 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Walker’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Judge Buescher also ordered Walker to pay approximately $23,000 in restitution to the deceased victim’s family.
In February 2024, Walker was driving a minivan on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska when she struck and killed a 63-year-old male motorcyclist on US Highway 75. Through lab testing, law enforcement determined Walker had been intoxicated well above the legal limit in Nebraska. Walker struck the victim motorcyclist while attempting a left turn, even though she lacked the right of way. Walker has multiple prior convictions for driving while under the influence, a major factor cited by Judge Buescher when handing down Walker’s 80-month sentence.
This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offense was a felony and occurred on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to 30 months in Prison for Possessing Unregistered SuppressorsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Dillon M. Salvo, age 29, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced November 20, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, after having pled guilty to receiving and possessing unregistered firearm suppressors. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Salvo to 30 months’ imprisonment that will run consecutive to his Nebraska state convictions in unrelated theft cases. There is no parole in the federal system. After Salvo’s release he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release. As part of this prosecution, over 26 firearms were forfeited, along with firearm suppressors and ammunition.
On March 19, 2023, the Lincoln Police Department and Nebraska State Patrol obtained a state search warrant for the common residence of Dillon Salvo and codefendant William Rader. During the search, law enforcement located four suspected unregistered firearm suppressors inside the residence along with numerous firearms.
A database check was completed for registered items with the National Firearms Act Branch (NFA) of the ATF, which revealed that neither Rader nor defendant Salvo had registered firearm suppressors in the database, making their possession illegal.
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, Lincoln Police Department and Nebraska State Patrol.
Norfolk Man Sentenced to 135 Months for Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Mick T. Hausmann, age 55, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced November 14, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possessing with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Hausmann to 135 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On April 3, 2024, the Nebraska State Patrol conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle of a vehicle in which Hausmann was the driver. After a glass meth pipe was found on a passenger, troopers conducted a search of the vehicle. In the center console, a bag containing 32 grams of meth was found.
A search warrant was obtained for Hausmann’s residence. Troopers searching the residence found more than 1200 grams of pure meth.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Macy Man Sentenced for Aggravated Sexual Abuse with ChildrenRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jason Walker, age 54, of Macy, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 15, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for aggravated sexual abuse with children in Indian Country. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Walker to 360 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Walker’s release from prison, he will begin a 7-year term of supervised release.
In February 2024, a minor victim disclosed to a trusted adult that Walker had inappropriately touched the minor victim on multiple occasions. Following a forensic interview during which the minor victim disclosed the extensive nature of Walker’s sexual abuse, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began an investigation into Walker’s conduct which resulted in Walker admitting to sexually abusing the minor victim on more than 50 occasions over the course of a roughly two-year period.
Before pronouncing Walker’s 30-year sentence, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Rossiter described Walker’s criminal conduct, saying, “I think the word ‘horrific’ is appropriate, and perhaps not even enough here.”
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.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Possession of Methamphetamine as Repeat OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Zachary McElderry, age 35, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced November 14, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced McElderry to 250 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After McElderry’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.
On February 7, 2024, a confidential informant ordered three pounds of meth from McElderry. McElderry told the informant to meet at a QuikTrip in Omaha. At QuikTrip, DEA agents drove toward McElderry’s vehicle to arrest him. McElderry avoided the DEA vehicles and escaped. He drove recklessly for more than three miles, driving the wrong way on a street and passing vehicles faster than the speed of traffic. McElderry parked his vehicle, which had a blown tire, near some apartment buildings. He was eventually arrested in a residential neighborhood. During McElderry’s drive, a backpack with eight pounds of meth was thrown from the vehicle. Another two pounds of meth was found in the vehicle.
McElderry faced an enhanced mandatory minimum because of a prior conviction for possession with intent to distribute meth in Douglas County District Court. The advisory guideline sentencing range was also enhanced because of reckless endangerment during flight from law enforcement.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Canadian National Convicted by Jury for Drug and Gun Charges after Interstate PursuitRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that a federal jury in Lincoln, Nebraska, returned a guilty verdict on November 13, 2024, against John Francis, age 23, of Canada, for one count of possession with intent to distribute MDMA and one count of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The verdict subjects Francis to a potential prison term of up to life and a minimum of five years on the firearm count. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis presided over the trial and set sentencing for February 6, 2025.
On March 4, 2023, a Saline County Sheriff’s Deputy performing patrol and drug interdiction duties on I-80 westbound initiated a traffic stop of a 2023 Chevy Tahoe. Instead of slowing, the Tahoe accelerated, resulting in a 30-minute pursuit over three counties for approximately 50 miles, at sustained speeds of over 100 mph. More county Sheriff’s Deputies and the Nebraska State Patrol were called in to assist with the stop due to the excessive speed of the fleeing Tahoe.
Officers had to deploy three sets of spike strips (tire deflation devices) across the interstate. The spike strips ultimately caused three of the four tires on the Tahoe to fail and caused the Tahoe to come to rest in the middle of the passing lane on the interstate. Francis emerged from the Tahoe with his hands in the air and immediately laid down on his chest in the median.
The driver and only occupant of the vehicle was eventually identified as John Francis, although another person’s Canadian driver’s license was found in the Tahoe. Francis had a loaded handgun in the cupholder and a duffle bag on the passenger seat. The duffle bag contained approximately 6.65 pounds of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in crystalline form. Officers also found over $6,000 and other indicators of drug trafficking on Francis and in the Tahoe.
This case was investigated by the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Seward County Sheriff’s Office, York County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Lincoln Police Department.