District of Nebraska

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Lawrence S. Bassette, age 40, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced November 13, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for domestic assault by an habitual offender in Indian Country. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Bassette to 21 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bassette’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

In December 2022, Bassette assaulted an elderly male victim known to him by punching the victim multiple times with a closed fist. During the ensuing scuffle, an elderly female was also injured. Prior to his assault on the victim in December 2022, Bassette had already been convicted on multiple occasions of domestic violence offenses in federal and tribal courts.

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.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Abas Ali, age 22, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced November 8, 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 Ali to 27 months’ imprisonment on the wire fraud charge and 24 months’ imprisonment on the aggravated identity theft charge for a total of 51 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ali’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 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-conspirators Ian Betkie will be sentenced December 5, 2024, and Bead Chan will be sentenced January 3, 2025.  Both 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. 

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Brandon L. Hutchinson, age 39, of Wichita, Kansas, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, after having pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Hutchinson to 240 months’ imprisonment. Hutchinson also forfeited $ $2,033.37 seized in the investigation. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hutchinson’s release he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On July 16, 2023, law enforcement received an anonymous tip that a fugitive was staying with Hutchinson at a Columbus motel and that he was in possession of controlled substances. Columbus police officers went to the motel where they confirmed that Hutchinson was currently renting a room.

After a drug detecting canine indicated to the odor of narcotics coming from within the room rented by Hutchinson, officers knocked on the door which was opened by Hutchinson who indicated the fugitive was within. The fugitive was removed and Hutchinson was secured until a search warrant was obtained.

After a warrant was obtained, a search of the room revealed approximately 1700 grams of meth in a bag with men’s clothing, approximately 200 “M 30” fentanyl pill along with suspected fentanyl powder, scales, baggies, a 9 mm Taurus handgun within arm’s reach of the drugs, and approximately $2033.37 in cash, most of which was found on Hutchinson’s person. Lab testing found Hutchinson’s DNA on the gun.

This case was investigated by the Columbus Police Department. 

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jesse T. Budenholzer, age 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha after having pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Budenholzer to 240 months’ imprisonment. Budenholzer also forfeited $8,150 seized in the investigation. There is no parole in the federal system. After Budenholzer’s release he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.

On November 21, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on Budenholzer’s south Omaha residence and seized approximately 320 grams of meth, 3212 grams of DMT (a schedule I Controlled Substance), along with $8,150 in drug proceeds and a drug ledger. The drug evidence was found in Budenholzer’s bedroom. At the time of the search warrant, Budenholzer was a convicted felon and was found in the bathroom taking a shower. A gun was found in his pants laying on the bathroom floor.

A search of Budenholzer’s phone revealed texts messages with his Mexican source of supply about receiving multiple pound quantities of meth dating back to September 2022. His phone also contained pictures of multiple pounds of meth.

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

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kevin Warsocki, age 32, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced November 7, 20224 in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of fentanyl analogue. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Warsocki to 188 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Warsocki is released from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. He will also forfeit to the United States $1,034.00 in U.S. currency that was proceeds from Warsocki distributing drugs.

On November 9, 2022, officers were called to the Hampton Inn at 11201 Davenport Street, Omaha, for a death investigation. Officers found the victim deceased in her room. A drug pipe was found next to the victim and six colorful pills, stamped M-30, suspected to be fentanyl, on the bathroom counter.

While officers were on scene, Kevin Warsocki arrived at the hotel room. Warsocki stated he went down to his car to have a cigarette and fell asleep, and when he woke up, he saw a police presence. Warsocki then returned to the hotel room, where he found an officer inside. Warsocki was then advised of the victim’s death.  Warsocki was in possession of keys to a white 2004 Buick Rainier with no plates, which was in the parking lot of the Hampton Inn. Law enforcement went and looked inside the vehicle, from the outside, and observed a $20 bill in plain view on the driver's side floorboard, along with apparent residue on the steering wheel and an apparent peach colored pill on the dash that was stamped "30." Warsocki was taken to Omaha Police Department Central Headquarters, where he was interviewed post-Miranda, and Warsocki admitted to possessing the pill that was seen in the vehicle and he confirmed it was fentanyl.

Upon searching the vehicle, officers located a total of 122 multi-colored pills that were stamped "M" on one side and "30" on the other. These pills were tested at the lab and were confirmed to be fentanyl. Two of the pills were found near the driver's seat with one on the top of the dashboard and another on the driver's side door threshold. The other 120 pills, along with 5 blue rectangle pills stamped "B707," were found in a rear compartment of the vehicle on the driver's side in a compartment cubby. The five pills tested positive for Alprazolam. When Warsocki was initially detained, he was found to have $1,034.00 on his person. The pills found in the driver's area of the vehicle matched the other 120 pills that were found in the rear compartment and all tested positive for fentanyl.  Warsocki also met with other individuals that night in and around the hotel and sold them fentanyl pills.

This case was investigated by the Overdose Drug Task Force, which is comprised of law enforcement from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Omaha Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Edwin J. Correa Miranda, age 26, of Mexico, was sentenced on November 7, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Correa Miranda to a total of 132 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Correa Miranda’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On August 17, 2023, a trooper stopped a vehicle traveling east bound on Interstate 80 in Hamilton County, Nebraska, for following too closely.  The driver was identified as co-defendant Juan Martinez Arroyo and the passenger was identified as Edwin Correa Miranda.  Each defendant gave conflicting stories on their travels and a drug dog was requested at the scene.  The dog made a positive alert to the presence of narcotics.

A search of the vehicle was conducted and inside of the trunk, troopers found a duffle bag containing 11 packages that later tested positive for meth.  The State Patrol Crime Lab confirmed the meth weighed a total of 24,777 grams.  A loaded Ruger handgun and a magazine containing five rounds were also found under the passenger seat.

Co-defendant Juan Martinez Arroyo was previously sentenced to 11 years imprisonment and a 5-year term of supervised release on October 23, 2024, by Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Dexter Hall, age 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced November 7, 20224 in federal court in Omaha for being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Hall to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hall is released from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.

On February 8, 2023, Dexter Hall entered a pawn shop in Lincoln, Nebraska and sold a box containing ten rounds of Hornady .50-caliber ammunition for $30. Mr. Hall has been previously convicted of non-violent felony offenses, namely possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

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

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Maurice Bryant, age 49, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 7, 2024, 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 Wolfe to 60 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system. After Bryant’s release from prison, he will serve a 4-year term of supervised release.

In March of 2024, confidential informants working with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force purchased meth from Bryant on two occasions for an estimated total of one ounce.  On April 2, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Bryant’s Lincoln residence, and investigators found a total of approximately 59 grams of meth.  Bryant agreed to talk to investigators and admitted buying and selling meth in the Lincoln area.

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

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kene Coleman, age 43, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced November 7, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Coleman to 151 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Coleman’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On August 11, 2023, Coleman arrived at the Omaha airport on a flight from Denver, Colorado. An investigator approached Coleman near the baggage carousel area and Coleman agreed to talk with the investigator. When asked about a suitcase he had, Coleman claimed the suitcase was not his. Moments later, Coleman ran away and was tackled to the ground by other officers. Search of the suitcase pursuant to a warrant uncovered approximately 6,155 fentanyl pills. At the time of the offense, Coleman was on parole for a Colorado conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol and the Omaha Airport Authority Police Department.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Emmett Walker, Jr, age 54, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 6, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for being a drug user in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Smith to 12 months and one day imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Walker’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

In November 2022, Walker was pulled over for a traffic violation on the Winnebago Indian Reservation. During the course of the traffic stop, Walker permitted the officer to search his car. Walker, who had recently lost his residence and many of his personal items due to a fire, had his Mossberg rifle in the trunk of the car, which he otherwise possessed legally. The officer also found a small amount of methamphetamine and Walker admitted to using meth regularly for the previous few years prior to the stop. 

Federal law prohibits the possession of a firearm if the possessor is also a drug user or addict.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services. 

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Bryson Smith, age 33, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 6, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for assault on a federal officer. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Smith to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Smith’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

In June 2023, Smith came into contact with law enforcement on the Winnebago Indian Reservation while heavily intoxicated. Smith resisted two officers’ attempts to arrest and transport him for medical care by kicking, biting, and scratching at the officers. Smith also spit into the eye of one officer, requiring the officer to seek medical treatment.

This case was prosecuted in federal court because the victims were federal law enforcement officers engaged in the performance of their official duties on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska at the time of Smith’s assault.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services. 

United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Alvaro Alferes, age 33, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on November 6, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl analogue, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Alferes to 57 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Alferes will be required to complete a 3-year term of supervised release.

In 2023, Alferes twice delivered fentanyl to an undercover DEA agent by leaving the pills in his Jeep in a grocery store parking lot in Omaha. The undercover agent set up the buys through a Mexico-based supplier. Each time, Alferes delivered over 1,000 pills.

On August 4, 2023, investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at Alferes’s residence which led to the seizure of over 1,000 more fentanyl pills and Alferes’s arrest. Investigators also found two digital scales with methamphetamine residue in a backpack in the garage. The backpack also contained heat sealed bags containing suspected drug residue. A sandwich baggie containing suspected cocaine was found in the Jeep in the driveway.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Tiffany Alice Wolfe, age 41, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on November 6, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and violation of supervised release. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Wolfe to a total of 174 months’ imprisonment.  She received a sentence of 162 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge and was ordered to serve a consecutive, (additional) 12-month prison term for violating the terms of her supervised release from a prior federal drug conviction by committing a new crime.  There is no parole in the federal system. After Wolfe’s release from prison, she will begin a new 5-year term of supervised release.

On April 26, 2023, Wolfe was a passenger in an SUV which was stopped by Lincoln Police officers for a traffic violation. The SUV, and its contents, including Wolfe’s purse, were searched. In her purse, officers found a shard of meth and 47 small plastic baggies, and a digital scale was found under her seat. Wolfe was taken to the Lancaster County Jail where she admitted she had additional meth on per person and provided a bag of meth to jail staff.  She told officers she had just purchased it in Omaha prior to her arrest and eventually admitted she intended to sell some of it to customers in Lincoln.  Testing at the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab showed the bag contained at least 100 grams of actual meth.

At the time of Wolfe’s arrest, she was serving a 3-year term of supervised release after completing federal prison terms for a prior federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute meth a prior supervised release violation.  Wolfe was sentenced to 123 months’ imprisonment in 2017 on the prior drug conviction and 14 months in 2022 on the prior supervised release violation.

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

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kenneth Breyer, age 75, and Elaine (a.k.a. Edith) Breyer, age 74, both of Gretna, Nebraska, were sentenced on November 6, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conducting an unlicensed money transmitting business. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced both Kenneth and Elaine Breyer to five years of probation. Chief Judge Rossiter also ordered the Breyers to pay $55,000 in restitution.

An investigation conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service determined that in early 2023, an elderly victim, who resided in Louisville Kentucky, was falsely informed by an unknown individual that she had won $18.5 million in the Publisher’s Clearing House. The unknown individual directed the victim to send $100,000 to various addresses for the purported reason of pre-paying taxes and fees for her winnings to be released. The victim was instructed by the unknown individual to send $70,000 of those proceeds to the Breyers. 

Between February 3, 2023, and February 13, 2023, the Breyers received three separate mailings from the victim which contained payments totaling $70,000.  The Breyers then transmitted $55,000 of the victim’s funds to others involved in the fraudulent scheme who were located outside of Nebraska. The remaining $15,000 was seized by law enforcement from the Breyers before the funds could be distributed.

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

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that the Grand Jury in the District of Nebraska has returned an eight-count Indictment against Noah Hale, age 20, of Norfolk, Nebraska. The Indictment charges Hale with the sexual exploitation of six minors between September 2022 and February 2024.

Counts 1 through 4 of the Indictment charge Hale with production of child pornography—each count involving a separate minor victim. Each of these offenses are punishable by a mandatory minimum term of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release to follow his term of imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to a lifetime of supervision, and several possible special assessments payable to the court and to special victim funds.

Counts 5 and 6 of the Indictment charge Hale with attempted production of child pornography—each count involving separate minor victims. Both counts are punishable by the same possible punishment as Counts 1-4.

Count 7 of the Indictment charges Hale with receipt of child pornography. This offense is punishable by a mandatory minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release to follow his term of imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to a lifetime of supervision, and several possible special assessments payable to the court and to special victim funds.

Count 8 of the Indictment charges Hale with possession of child pornography. This offense is punishable by a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release to follow his term of imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to a lifetime of supervision, and several possible special assessments payable to the court and to special victim funds.

Hale appeared for his arraignment and detention hearing on November 1, 2024, before the Honorable Magistrate Judge Jacqueline M. DeLuca. He was ordered detained pending trial at the conclusion of the hearing. A preliminary examination will not be held as the Grand Jury has found probable cause in returning the Indictment. A finding of probable cause is not a finding of guilt and Hale is presumed innocent of these charges until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

U.S. Attorney Lehr commended the FBI for the intensity with which they investigated this case. Due to their efforts a number of victims were identified and charges were able to be filed.

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

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Ricardo Muro, age 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced November 4, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Muro to 225 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Muro’s release from prison, he will begin an 8-year term of supervised release.

On January 17, 2023, agents with a DEA task force intercepted a package of marijuana addressed to Muro's business in Omaha. A controlled delivery of the package and search of the business pursuant to a search warrant uncovered more marijuana and THC gummies.  Muro's house in Omaha was also searched pursuant to a warrant. Inside, agents found approximately one kilogram of cocaine, marijuana, THC cartridges, and $9,380 cash.

Muro has two prior federal drug trafficking convictions, which enhanced his statutory minimum sentence and his advisory guideline sentence. The $9,380 will be ordered forfeited to the United States as proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Daniel Raymundo Alvillar, age 46, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced on November 4, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Alvillar to 78 months’ imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system. After Alvillar is released from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On January 12, 2023, a Nebraska State Trooper in marked patrol unit and parked on Interstate 80 in Hamilton County, observed a vehicle without a front license plate.  As the Trooper proceeded to drive towards the vehicle, he observed a traffic violation and initiated a traffic stop.

The driver was identified as co-defendant Jesus Quinones Dominguez. The passenger was identified as Alvillar.  Quinones consented to a vehicle search after informing the Trooper that he had a screwdriver in his pocket.  Troopers noticed two screws missing from the plastic cover of the tailgate.  The Trooper observed a heat-sealed bag inside the tailgate on the truck.  The Trooper then took off the plastic cover and discovered 11 heat sealed bags containing blue pills with the impressions “M30” on them, known as fentanyl pills.  In total, 11.28 pounds were recovered. A forensic lab found all representative samples of the pills tested positive for fentanyl, with a total weight of 5,071.9 grams.

Post-arrest, Quinones admitted to the drugs and transportation. He was being paid $4,000 to drive the drugs to Chicago. According to Quinones, he told Alvillar he would split the payment with him.

Alvillar denied knowledge of the drugs but did provide consent to search his cell phone. On his phone, were photographs, both stock and taken by the phone of small blue “M30” pills – same as the pills being transported. The phone had images of marijuana as well as narcotics discussions involving cannabis, “weed,” “20 sack,” and “blues” – a reference to M30 pills.

Alvillar’s co-defendant, Jesus Daniel Dominguez, is scheduled for trial on December 17, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kevin McWilliams, age 32, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced October 30, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced McWilliams to 130 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After McWilliams’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.

On March 14, 2023, Omaha police stopped a vehicle in which McWilliams was the front seat passenger. The driver consented to a search of the vehicle. As McWilliams exited the vehicle, he was clutching his waistband area. When asked why, McWilliams presented a half-empty 200 ml bottle of liqueur. Officers began a search of McWilliams and felt a large bulge near his crotch. The bulge turned out to be a gallon size Ziplock bag with meth weighing approximately 265 grams. Lab testing confirmed 258.6 grams (0.569 pounds) of a substance containing meth.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Alex Ogunshakin, age 41, a Nigerian citizen, was sentenced on October 31, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Senior United States District John M. Gerrard sentenced Ogunshakin to a total of 45 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ogunshakin’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release and is subject to removal from the United States.

From sometime no later than January 2015, continuing to the September 2016, Ogunshakin participated in a scheme to defraud U.S. based businesses. As a part of the scheme, Ogunshakin and other individuals participated in a business e-mail compromise scheme in which co-conspirators used compromised e-mail accounts to send spoofed e-mails to thousands of business employees who handled accounting, to include authorizing and sending wire transfers. A spoofed e-mail is one in which the e-mail appears to be originating from a sender other than who is truly the sender. Co-conspirators spoofed e-mail addressed to pose as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or other business executives and would direct recipients of the e-mail to complete wire transfers. The business employee, thinking the wire transfer request was legitimate, would comply with the wire transfer and send money to a location providing in wiring instructions. Ogunshakin and other co-conspirators provided bank account information to the co-conspirators who sent the spoofed e-mails to the business executives.

In February 2015 and May 2015, two Nebraska based businesses were targeted by the scheme. The investigation into the scheme revealed over 70 U.S. based business were victimized and the loss amount exceed $6 million, with attempted losses exceeding $30 million. 

Ogunshakin and the co-conspirators committed the offense from outside the United States, mostly from Nigeria.  At the request of the United States, Nigerian authorities arrested Ogunshakin for the purpose of his extradition in October 2020, a court in Nigeria found him extraditable in July 2023, and Nigerian authorities extradited him to the United States in September 2023.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Ogunshakin in coordination with the FBI’s Legal Attaché in Abuja, Nigeria’s Office of the Attorney General and Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Ogunshakin’s co-conspirator, Adewale Akinloye, was sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment in February 2019. Co-conspirators Richard Uzuh, Felix Okpoh, and Nnamdi Benson all remain at large. Co-conspirator Abiola Kayode’s extradition proceedings are ongoing.  

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lecia E. Wright for the District of Nebraska.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Santeena McBride, age 35, of Santee, Nebraska, was sentenced October 30, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for felony child abuse and neglect. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced McBride to 48 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After McBride is released from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On May 23, 2022, the Santee Sioux Nation Police Department received an intake from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services related to a minor child in need of a welfare check at a home on the Santee Sioux Nation Indian Reservation. Santee Tribal Police responded to the home where the minor child was found to be living in unsanitary conditions. The minor child was pale and not moving. Investigation revealed the child had not been receiving adequate care and she was hospitalized for both anemia and malnutrition. Investigation revealed McBride was responsible for the minor’s care and McBride had placed the minor in a situation that endangered her life or physical health, which resulted in serious bodily injury to the child.

This case was charged in United States District Court because McBride and the minor child are both Native American and the offense, a felony level child abuse offense, occurred on an Indian Reservation giving rise to federal jurisdiction.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Saul Chavez, age 20, of Indio, California, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, after having pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Chavez to 96 months’ imprisonment. Chavez also forfeited over $25,000 seized in the investigation. There is no parole in the federal system. After Chavez’s release he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On June 13, 2023, during a controlled purchase operation, Chavez distributed approximately a pound of meth to an undercover law enforcement officer in Omaha. Surveillance identified Chavez was using a California-plated vehicle and staying at a local Omaha motel.

On June 15, 2023, investigators conducted surveillance on Chavez and observed him drive away from the motel. He was stopped by an Omaha police officer and a subsequent search of his vehicle revealed one pound of meth.

During a post-arrest interview, Chavez admitted his vehicle contained a concealed compartment. Investigators located the compartment and discovered $25,622 and over 30 pounds of meth inside.

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

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Isidro Alvarado, age 36, of Sidney, Nebraska, was sentenced on October 28, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Alvarado to 240 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge and 120 months on the gun charge.  The sentences are to run concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After Alvarado is released from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

From July 2021 to July 2022, Alvarado and others worked together to sell meth and fentanyl in and around Kearney, Nebraska. In November 2021, Alvarado sold meth and a shotgun to a confidential informant (CI). The investigation into Alvarado and his co-defendant revealed he was dealing meth and fentanyl around the Kearny area and sending money from drug proceeds back to Mexico. Alvarado had a prior felony conviction for drugs, making him ineligible to possess a firearm.   

Alvarado’s co-defendant, Samantha Miller, was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment in February 2024.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and FBI.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Robert Carodine, 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on October 25, 2024 in federal court in Omaha for one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Carodine to 300 months’ imprisonment on each count.  The sentences are to run concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After Carodine is released from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. Carodine will also forfeit to the United States $25,299.00 in United States currency and jewelry and watches that were from drug proceeds.

In February 2022, law enforcement was tracking Carodine’s cell phone location data and observed that his phone traveled from Omaha, Nebraska, to Phoenix, Arizona. Based on an ongoing investigation, law enforcement believed Carodine traveled to Arizona for the purpose of trafficking controlled substances.

Carodine traveled to Arizona to purchase, package, and send narcotics to Nebraska. While in Arizona, Carodine mailed four boxes—two addressed to his residence in Omaha and two addressed to stash house in Omaha. The boxes weighed 39, 23, 37 and 37 pounds, respectively. When the boxes arrived in Omaha, agents obtained a search warrant to search the boxes. Inside the boxes agents recovered various quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. The boxes contained approximately 2.28 kilograms of cocaine, 8.09 kilograms of fentanyl, and 47.87 kilograms of methamphetamine.

On February 25, 2022, agents searched Carodine’s residence and apartment. In the residence, agents found cash, a Rolex, cannabis, and two firearms: a Springfield XSD 45 caliber semi-auto handgun found in a kitchen drawer, and a Boomer 44 revolver found in the master bedroom. In the apartment, agents found .45 caliber ammunition in a kitchen cabinet, a drug ledger in the kitchen, $16,499 in cash, 359.6 grams of methamphetamine in kitchen cabinets, marijuana, and another 2,095 grams of suspected cocaine.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Alejandro Dominguez Delapena, 26, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced on October 25, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual, 500 grams or more of meth mixture and a mixture or substance containing marijuana. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Delapena to 102 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Delapena’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

Between about February of 2020 and May of 2022, information obtained by law enforcement indicated Delapena was having packages of meth delivered to several residences in Lincoln.  It was believed that Delapena received multiple pounds of meth at a time in shipments from outside Nebraska.  Delapena is estimated to have been responsible for the distribution of more than 165 pounds of meth mixture during that timeframe in the Lincoln area.

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

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Gene Milton, Jr., age 28, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced October 24, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Milton to a total of 300 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Milton’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

“Fentanyl is terrible for our society,” Judge Buescher said while pronouncing sentence. Judge Buescher added: “I sit back and wonder, if these 30,000 pills had gotten into the community, what would have happened?”

On December 4, 2023, Omaha police executed a search warrant at an Omaha residence where Milton lived with his girlfriend and minor children. Inside of a bedroom, officers found more than 30,000 fentanyl pills, three loaded firearms, and three Glock full auto conversion devices. One of the firearms was a Glock pistol with a fully automatic conversion device, which allowed the pistol to fire as fully automatic. Officers also seized marijuana, THC wax, psilocybin mushrooms, and $16,416 in cash.

The $16,416 in cash will be forfeited to the United States as proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.

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

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Gene Milton, Jr., age 28, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced October 24, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Milton to a total of 300 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Milton’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

“Fentanyl is terrible for our society,” Judge Buescher said while pronouncing sentence. Judge Buescher added: “I sit back and wonder, if these 30,000 pills had gotten into the community, what would have happened?”

On December 4, 2023, Omaha police executed a search warrant at an Omaha residence where Milton lived with his girlfriend and minor children. Inside of a bedroom, officers found more than 30,000 fentanyl pills, three loaded firearms, and three Glock full auto conversion devices. One of the firearms was a Glock pistol with a fully automatic conversion device, which allowed the pistol to fire as fully automatic. Officers also seized marijuana, THC wax, psilocybin mushrooms, and $16,416 in cash.

The $16,416 in cash will be forfeited to the United States as proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.

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

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jamie M. Hopkins, age 36, of North Platte, Nebraska was sentenced on October 17, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Hopkins to a total of 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hopkin’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

Between July 2022 and February 2023, Hopkins led an organization responsible for distributing meth and fentanyl in and around the North Platte area.  The group was responsible for the distribution of pounds of meth.  She and other coconspirators were subjects of multiple controlled buys, search warrants, and arrests.

Three controlled buys from Hopkins and co-defendant, Joey Romero, occurred in July of 2022.  On July 7, 2022, a Confidential Informant (“CI”) purchased 6.2 grams of meth mixture from Hopkins and Romero.  On July 13, 2022, the same CI purchased 28.4 grams of meth mixture from Romero in Hopkins’ car in a grocery store parking lot.  On July 29, 2022, the CI purchased 26 grams of meth actual from Hopkins and Romero.

Two controlled buys from Hopkins and Romero occurred in August of 2022.  On August 2, 2022, the CI purchased 26 grams of meth actual from Hopkins in a hotel room occupied by Hopkins and Romero.  On August 17, 2022, the CI purchased 10 pills from Hopkins at her house.  The pills later tested positive for meth and fentanyl.

On January 30, 2023, the CI purchased 36 grams of meth actual from Hopkins and a coconspirator at Hopkins’ residence.  A search warrant was served on Hopkins’ house on February 7, 2023.  During the search, law enforcement found multiple baggies of meth throughout the house, to include: the bedroom, Hopkins’ purse, and in a toilet of a bathroom. Law enforcement also found 2 bongs, 29 pills, owe notes, 3 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 home.  The baggies of meth were tested by the State Patrol Crime Lab.  The lab confirmed the samples contained 35.85 grams of a meth mixture.   

Romero pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing on December 12, 2024.

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).

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Gustavo Araiza, Jr., age 28, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced October 23, 20224 in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Araiza, Jr. to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Araiza, Jr. is released from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. 

An undercover officer was utilized to purchase drugs directly from Araiza, Jr.  On September 27, 2023, Araiza Jr. agreed to sell one pound of methamphetamine and 100 fentanyl pills.  Araiza, Jr. met the undercover officer in his vehicle with a black backpack.  Araiza, Jr. removed the drugs from the backpack and sold them to the undercover officer.

On October 5, 2023, law enforcement arranged the undercover officer to purchase three pounds of methamphetamine and 100 fentanyl pills.  The drug transaction took place in the undercover officer’s vehicle.  The undercover officer provided Araiza, Jr. $12,500.00 in prerecorded drug fund money.  Law enforcement executed a search warrant where Araiza, Jr. was staying and arrested him with all of the $12,500.00 buy money.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Tremain Monroe, age 30, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced October 23, 20224 in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Monroe to 210 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Monroe is released from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.  Monroe will also forfeit $4,200.00 in United States currency and a 2019 Dodge Ram truck to the United States as drug proceeds.

On March 28, 2023, Monroe was involved in providing fentanyl to a victim who overdosed but was revived by Narcan.  Law enforcement then purchased M-30 fentanyl pills from Monroe on two separate occasions in April 2023.

On May 3, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Monroe’s residence.  Law enforcement seized 221 fentanyl pills, drug paraphernalia, and over 5 pounds of methamphetamine.  Monroe admitted to using and selling fentanyl pills and was aware of the methamphetamine. Law enforcement also located $4,200 in U.S. currency and the 2019 Dodge Ram truck was also used to facilitate Monroe’s narcotics dealings.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Juan Martinez Arroyo, age 22, of Mexico, was sentenced on October 23, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Martinez Arroyo to a total of 132 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Martinez Arroyo’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On August 17, 2023, a trooper stopped a vehicle traveling east bound on Interstate 80 in Hamilton County, Nebraska, for following too closely.  The driver was identified as Martinez Arroyo and the passenger was identified as co-defendant, Edwin Correa Miranda.  Each defendant gave conflicting stories on their travels and a drug dog was requested at the scene.  The dog made a positive alert to the presence of narcotics.

A search of the vehicle was conducted and inside of the trunk, troopers found a duffle bag containing 11 packages that later tested positive for meth.  The State Patrol Crime Lab confirmed the meth weighed a total of 24,777 grams.  A loaded Ruger handgun and a magazine containing five rounds were also found under the passenger seat.

Co-defendant Edwin Correa Miranda is set for sentencing on November 7, 2024, before United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Ramiro Hernandez Tziquin, age 22, of Guatemala, was sentenced on October 23, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson sentenced Hernandez Tziquin to time served. Hernandez Tziquin has been in custody since June 6, 2024. Hernandez Tziquin is subject to removal proceedings with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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

Co-defendant Zetino Hernandez was sentenced to time served on November 14, 2023, for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

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

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Xavier Olivas-Valenzuela, age 24, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced October 23, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Olivas-Valenzuela to 108 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On July 31, 2023, the DEA Criminal Interdiction Unit was working at the bus station in Omaha, Nebraska, when they made contact with Olivas-Valenzuela.  During the contact, Olivas-Valenzuela admitted to contraband in his bag.  When investigators began to search his bag, Olivas-Valenzuela ran out the door.  After a short pursuit, Olivas-Valenzuela was detained.  A search of his luggage resulted in 51 pounds of meth being seized. A search that night of Olivas-Valenzuela’s phone showed that he was directed to stay at a residence in the 1700 block of N. 10th Street.  A search warrant was obtained for that residence.  Investigators found Carlos Ruelas at the residence, along with 10 kilograms of cocaine and $68,460.

Ruelas was sentenced on October 2, 2024, to a term of imprisonment of 46 months.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Alfred Rogers, age 63, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced October 17, 20224 in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Rogers to 180 months’ imprisonment for the drug count and to 300 months, consecutive, for the firearm offense for a total of 480 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After Rogers is released from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. Rogers’ sentence was enhanced due to a prior serious felony drug conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Rogers will also forfeit $45,906.00 in United States currency to the United States as drug proceeds.

On May 23, 2022, officers of the Omaha Police Department Narcotics and SWAT units executed a search warrant at a home in Omaha. Officers located Rogers at the home. During the search, officers located 428 grams of meth, 33 grams of cocaine, 1,968 grams of marijuana, and 95 fentanyl pills. Officers also located a 9mm handgun in the ceiling rafters and $45,906 in U.S. currency.

Rogers was found guilty by a jury on July 18, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Nelson W. McCauley, age 44, of Sioux City, Iowa, most recently residing on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation, was sentenced on October 18, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for two counts of domestic assault by an habitual offender in Indian Country. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced McCauley to 90 months’ imprisonment on each count to be served concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After McCauley’s release from prison, he will begin concurrent 3-year terms of supervised release on both counts.

In August 2023, McCauley physically assaulted a female victim known to him by striking her repeatedly with his fists. In May 2024, McCauley physically assaulted the same female victim again by striking her multiple times with his fists. The victim required medical attention after each of McCauley’s assaults to address substantial bodily injuries, including large bruises, contusions, and a hematoma on her head. Prior to his assaults on the victim in August 2023 and May 2024, McCauley had already been convicted on multiple occasions of domestic violence offenses in federal and tribal courts.

This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offenses were felonies and occurred on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation in Nebraska.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Brian I. Gonzalez, age 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on October 18, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for receipt and distribution of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Gonzalez to 132 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Gonzalez’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Chief Judge Rossiter ordered Gonzalez to pay a $1,500 assessment pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018 (AVAA).

In August of 2023, the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force received CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that a Google User uploaded possible child sexual abuse material on three dates in March of 2023.  Law enforcement obtained a search warrant to view the images in the CyberTips and confirmed the images portrayed child sexual abuse material depicting children engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  The IP address associated with the CyberTips resolved to the residence Gonzalez shared with his parents.  Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Gonzalez’s Google account and located images of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

On November 15, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Gonzalez’s residence in Omaha and seized his devices for forensic examination.  Law enforcement interviewed Gonzalez and he admitted to downloading, sending, and viewing child sexual abuse material.  Forensic examination and analysis of Gonzalez’s electronic devices located approximately 350 visually unique media files depicting child sexual abuse material, which included 19 videos. These media files included prepubescent children as young as infant and toddler age engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

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

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