District of Nebraska
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Nigerian National Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Wire FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Afeez Akinloye, age 44, a Nigerian citizen, was sentenced on September 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Akinloye to a total of 30 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Akinloye’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release and is subject to removal from the United States.
In the Fall of 2016, continuing to the summer of 2017, Akinloye participated in a scheme to defraud U.S. based businesses involved in real estate transactions. As a part of the scheme, Akinloye and other individuals gained access to email accounts and account information related to real estate transactions and then posed as the seller in the real estate transaction, requesting wire transfers be sent to locations and accounts that the fraudsters had access to. The accounts Akinloye and the other fraudsters had access to were as a result of other co-conspirators victimizing unwitting mules through romance scams. There were two victims in the District of Nebraska who lost $52,000 as a result of the wire fraud conspiracy. There were a total of eleven victims with losses of $1,850,000 and attempted losses of $4,600,000. Akinloye and the co-conspirators committed the offense from outside the United States, mostly from South Africa. At the request of the United States, South African authorities arrested Akinloye for the purpose of his extradition in September 2022, a court in South Africa found him extraditable in June 2023, and South African authorities extradited him to the United States in December 2023. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, in coordination with the South African Department of Justice, provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Akinloye.
Akinloye’s co-defendants, Saliu Jimoh Akinloye, Ebenezer Gbenga Omoshagba, and Sheriff Opeyemi Olalere, remain at large.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Mexican Man Sentenced for Five Pounds of Pure MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Luis Enrique Sagaste-Rodriguez, age 35, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced September 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, for possessing with intent to distribute almost 5 pounds of pure methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Sagaste-Rodriguez to 121 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 November 2, 2023, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office stopped Sagaste-Rodriguez for a traffic violation. Sagaste-Rodriguez was the sole occupant of the vehicle. During the encounter, Sagaste-Rodriguez was extremely nervous, including shaking and sweating despite the cool temperature. A drug detection K9 was deployed, which indicated to presence of drugs in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in 2,146 grams of pure meth being seized.
Sagaste-Rodriguez is in the United States illegally and will be deported back to Mexico after serving his sentence.
This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Plattsmouth Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Meth and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Gerald Storovich, age 44, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, was sentenced September 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Storovich to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Storovich’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
In February and March of 2023, an undercover agent contacted Storovich to purchase meth. The meth purchases ranged from half an ounce purchased on February 2, 2023, to a pound of meth purchased on March 2, 2023. On March 30, 2023, Storovich met the undercover agent for the purpose of selling a 9mm handgun. Storovich told the undercover agent he had stolen the handgun while in Kansas City. Officers arrested Storovich and searched his vehicle, finding approximately an ounce of meth, two ounces of cannabis, a digital scale, baggies, and $810 cash.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Possession of Ammo and FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jared Mutchie, age 35, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced September 19, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Mutchie to 96 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Mutchie’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
In March 2024, investigators with the Lincoln Police Department were conducting surveillance at a gas station on O Street. While there, investigators observed a black 2006 Pontiac with no license plates enter the parking lot. A male passenger was visible in the car, and investigators were able to identify him as Jared Mutchie. Investigators confirmed that Mutchie had an active felony arrest warrant for possession of a controlled substance and called for a marked cruiser to assist in contacting and taking Mutchie into custody. As the marked police cruiser drove past, Mutchie immediately exited the front passenger seat of the car and ran to the driver side of the vehicle. He and the driver switched seats and Mutchie began to drive the vehicle out of the parking lot, entering O Street with the cruiser behind him. The cruiser initiated emergency lights and sirens, but Mutchie failed to yield, fleeing eastbound at a high rate of speed. Speeds in the pursuit reached over 85mph. LPD called off the pursuit about the same time Mutchie lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway, and collided with a retaining wall at the intersection of 44th and O Streets.
Mutchie exited the driver seat of the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, but officers were able to locate him a short distance from the vehicle. He ignored commands to get on the ground and was reaching into his pockets and removing items. Officers were able to physically force Mutchie to the ground and take him into custody. They located a baggie of cocaine in his pocket at the time of his arrest.
A search of the vehicle, which had been reported as stolen in February 2024, was conducted. Officers located about 4.5 grams of meth in the center cup holder, a zippered bag on the passenger floor of the vehicle which contained 119 .22 caliber bullets and a .22 caliber magazine with seven bullets.
Upon finding the bullets, officers went back and began searching for a gun in the area around Mutchie’s physical arrest. Approximately twenty feet from where Mutchie was physically seized, law enforcement located a Smith and Wesson 22 Long Rifle handgun. The gun was loaded with a magazine containing 11 bullets.
A review of Mutchie’s criminal history revealed felony convictions which resulted in prison sentences of at least a year.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Bazis emphasized the need to protect the public from Mutchie, who has a lengthy criminal history.
This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive national strategy that creates local partnerships with law enforcement agencies to effectively enforce existing gun laws. It provides more options to prosecutors, allowing them to utilize local, state, and federal laws to ensure that criminals who commit gun crime face tough sentences. PSN gives each federal district the flexibility it needs to focus on individual challenges that a specific community faces.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.
Former North Platte Man Sentenced for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Wesley M. Kraft, age 37, formerly of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced September 19, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for distribution of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Kraft to 68 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Kraft’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.
This case was brought as a result of a lengthy investigation into drug dealing in the North Platte, Nebraska area, meant to target drug dealers and their sources of supply.
In April of 2023, a confidential human source conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Kraft. The confidential source was able to purchase 50 grams of meth from Kraft, which the state lab tested and confirmed had a purity of 95%, for 46 grams of pure meth. The source also reported to law enforcement that Kraft had a .45 caliber handgun on his person during the controlled buy.
Approximately two weeks after the controlled buy, Kraft, who was on state probation and a convicted felon at the time, had his residence searched as part of his probation term. That search located a .45 caliber pistol, as well as meth and meth related drug paraphernalia.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Bazis commented on the possession of the firearm, and the fact that Kraft was on state probation at the time of the federal offense. However, the Judge also noted Kraft’s exemplary work after the April events, including various addiction related programing and treatment that Kraft has completed as a reason for not imposing a lengthier sentence.
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 federal partners in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and United States Postal Inspection Services (USPIS).
Foreign National Sentenced to over 4 1/2 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Rafael Perea Arce aka Rafael Parea Arce, age 27, of Mexico, was sentenced on September 19, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual meth. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Perea Arce to a total of 55 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Perea Arce’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On November 30, 2023, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper pulled over a vehicle for a suspended vehicle registration on Interstate 80 in Hall County, Nebraska. The driver was identified by his Mexico driver’s license as Rafael Perea Arce. During the stop, Perea Arce admitted that he had drugs in the vehicle that he was transporting them from Arizona to Minnesota. The trooper searched the vehicle and found a large duffle bag that contained 45 individual packages containing a white crystalline substance.
The white crystalline substance was sent to the State Patrol Crime Lab and they confirmed that each package contained meth. The total weight of the meth was just under 20 kilograms. The Crime Lab tested one of the packages for purity. The meth in that package weighed 449 grams. It was 95.6 % pure and contained at least 410 grams of meth actual.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Wisconsin Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Lemarr Washington, age 46, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, was sentenced September 18, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute four pounds of pure methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Washington to 168 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Washington also agreed to forfeit $4,658 that was seized along with the meth.
On March 2, 2023, Seward County Deputies stopped a Chevy Equinox for a traffic violation. Washington was a passenger in the vehicle. During the traffic stop, the deputies became suspicious of the information provided by the occupants of the vehicle and drug detection K9 was deployed. The K9 alerted to the presence of narcotics and deputies searched the vehicle. The search resulted in the four pounds of pure meth and $4,658 being seized. Washington later made admissions that the meth was his.
This case was investigated by the Seward County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Omaha Man Sentenced to Five Years for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Antonio Paredez, agev26, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced September 18, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Paredez to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Paredez’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On March 12, 2021, Paredez sold approximately one gram of cocaine and a 9mm handgun to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. The transaction occurred inside an Omaha residence. The handgun had a defaced serial number. Paredez also made three other sales to the cooperator during the investigation, all of which for a gram or half-gram of cocaine and one also involving a double barrel shotgun.
As part of a plea agreement, the prosecution dismissed a charge for distribution of cocaine. The 60-month sentence is the mandatory minimum for conviction of the firearm offense.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
North Platte Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Austin Priest, age 35, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 17, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Priest to a total of 120 months’ imprisonment. Priest’s federal sentence will be served consecutive to a state prison sentence he is serving for state violations related to possession of meth. There is no parole in the federal system. After Priest’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On October 15, 2023, officers with the North Platte Police Department stopped a vehicle driven by Priest as it entered North Platte for at traffic violation. From prior intel, officers suspected the vehicle had been involved in the distribution of narcotics and suspected narcotics were currently in the vehicle at the time of the stop.
Both Priest and his passenger were asked to step back to patrol cars while officers checked their identification, and a drug dog was deployed while the traffic stop was in progress. The dog alerted to the presence of narcotics and officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. In a XL men’s sized jacket pocket, officers located a pound of meth. The jacket was located on the floor of the passenger’s side seat. A search warrant executed on the co-defendant’s phone located a selfie style photo taken of Priest and the co-defendant that same day of the two of them, with Priest wearing the jacket.
During interviews, Priest initially denied being outside of Nebraska, saying they had just been to Ogallala. A search incident to his arrest located receipts from Colorado in his pockets, at which point he admitted having been in Colorado but denied knowing anything about the meth in the car. At the time of the traffic stop, Priest was out on bond, having been released by a state court judge on three separate state cases relating to either the possession of or the distribution of meth.
The recovered meth was sent to the state crime lab where it was tested and confirmed meth, with a purity of 95.7% for a total of 400 grams of actual meth.
This case was investigated by the North Platte Police Department.
South Sioux City Man Sentenced to 360 Months for Receipt and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Clifford J. Halverson, age 57, of South Sioux City, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 11, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for receipt and distribution of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Halverson to 360 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Halverson will be placed on a lifetime term of supervised release.
Halverson committed felony sex crimes involving children in North and South Dakota in the 1990s and was sentenced to 25 years in prison for these crimes. He was released from prison in 2018 at age 51.
In 2023, Halverson began to groom a 14-year-old girl online. The victim was forensically interviewed and reported the interactions. Halverson solicited from and exchanged with the victim sexually explicit photos and videos. The offense conduct began in late July of last year, and within a month the Halverson and the victim exchanged approximately 9,000 messages. Halverson was also in contact with another subject of the investigation, with whom he shared photographs of the victim and offered to set them up for intercourse. During the sentencing hearing, United States District Judge Buescher stated that the 360-month sentence was justified due to the “very disturbing nature of the offense” and Halverson’s criminal history.
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 South Sioux City Police Department and the Omaha Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Madison S. Hill, age 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 11, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, for bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Hill to 154 months’ imprisonment and to pay $50,000.0 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Hill will be required to complete a 5-year term of supervised release.
On May 20, 2023, Hill entered a bank in Omaha while brandishing a handgun. Hill jumped over the front counter and began making demands of a bank employee and of another employee who was working in the drive-through serving a customer. Hill demanded the employees open the vault and teller drawers. The employees complied and Hill was able to leave the bank with over $76,000.00. A customer who witnessed the robbery observed Hill leaving the bank and pursued Hill while calling police. Law Enforcement responded to the bank and investigated the robbery, eventually identifying Hill through the assistance crime stoppers tips and other community assistance.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Great Plains Violent Crimes Task Force and the Omaha Police Department.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Accessing with Intent to View Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Logan M. Schwenk, age 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 5, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for access with intent to view visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Schwenk to 24 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. Schwenk was ordered to pay a $2,500 special assessment to the Child Pornography Victims Reserve Fund.
On October 25, 2022, a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent working covertly online visited an open internet page that hosted and advertised the sale of child pornography. On the internet page, packages of child pornographic files were advertised for sale in U.S. currency. The agent made a covert purchase of the files, and the money was directed to a money mule located in the United States. After the purchase, the agent was sent a Mega link which contained terabytes of child pornographic material. Mega is a file hosting service.
During investigation of the money mule, the agent identified others who made similar purchases for child pornography, which included Schwenk. Schwenk’s purchase history and communications with the money mule showed multiple financial transactions for similar links from October 2022 through February 2023. In the transaction line for the payments, Schwenk indicated “mega” or “cp.”
On June 7, 2023, a search warrant was issued for Schwenk’s residence in Omaha. The warrant was executed, and numerous devices were seized, including his phone and laptop. During a forensic review of Schwenk’s phone, the FBI found a Mega link to child pornography and at least one image of child pornography.
This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
Kansas Woman Sentenced for Witness Retaliation PlotRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kate Ruth, age 36, of Wichita, Kansas, was sentenced on September 5, 2024, in federal Court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to assault a witness and attempted assault of a witness. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr sentenced Ruth to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ruth’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
In the fall of 2021, Johnny Dolph (hereinafter “Dolph”) was being investigated by the United States Secret Service for financial crimes to include crimes involving counterfeit currency and checks. Dolph claims to be a “shot caller” in the Irish Mob Gang, a street gang that originated in Oklahoma. In September 2021, Victim 1’s husband was arrested in Nebraska for forgery counts. Victim 1’s husband was coming to Nebraska to assist Dolph in his forgery activities. Following Victim 1’s husband’s arrest, Dolph and Jennifer Norwood A/K/A Jennifer Dolph (hereinafter “Norwood”) began contacting Victim 1 in attempts to prevent her from cooperating with law enforcement. Dolph believed Victim 1 and Victim 1’s husband were cooperating with law enforcement. As a result, Dolph put a “green light” on Victim 1 and her husband.
In October 2021, a search warrant was obtained through the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska for Dolph’s apartment in Omaha. This search warrant was signed by Magistrate Judge Susan Bazis and the affiant for the warrant was a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service.
Following the execution of the search warrant, Dolph and Norwood began researching the affiant agent and magistrate judge listed on the search warrant. Dolph and Norwood also reached out to individuals outside of Nebraska providing information about Victim 1, where Victim 1 resides, and where family members of Victim 1 lived.
On November 19, 2021, Dolph contacted Ruth and requested that she travel from Kansas to Omaha, Nebraska to attempt to carry out his “green light” on Victim 1. Dolph instructed Ruth to go to Greyhound and attempt to pick up a ticket that had been purchased in a third party’s name. Ruth was instead driven to Nebraska from Kansas by Juanita Gibson (hereinafter “Gibson”). Gibson obtained a red pickup truck to drive she and Ruth to Omaha. During the drive to Nebraska, Dolph sent Gibson and Ruth money for gas over CashApp, inquired to the status of their travel, and provided directions on where to park once they arrived at his apartment.
Dolph and Norwood let Gibson and Ruth stay at their apartment in Omaha. While there, Dolph, Norwood, Gibson, and Ruth researched Victim 1.
Victim 1’s husband was sentenced in 2022 to time-served after serving a nine-month sentence for possession of counterfeit currency and possession of a document making implement or authentication feature and is currently serving a five-year term of supervised release. On August 17, 2023, Dolph was sentenced to a total of 150 months’ imprisonment for felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm following a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; 2 counts of false statement during the purchase of a firearm; conspiracy to tamper with documents or proceedings; tampering with documents or proceedings; 2 counts of conspiracy to assault a witness; and 2 counts for attempted assault of a witness. On November 21, 2023, Gibson was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to assault a witness and attempted assault of a witness. On February 9, 2024, Norwood was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to tamper with a document or proceedings, conspiracy to assault a witness, and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the Omaha Police Department, and the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Grand Island Woman Sentenced for Methamphetamine PossessionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Hung Thuc Pham, age 38, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 5, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a meth mixture. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Pham to 135 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Pham’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Pham also agreed to the forfeiture of $5,110 in cash to the United States of America.
On September 12, 2023, Pham was stopped on Interstate 80 for numerous traffic violations by a Lancaster County Sheriff’s Deputy. She was the sole occupant of the car. The deputy saw a duffel bag on the front passenger seat which was partially open, and heat-sealed bags containing meth were visible inside. As a result, Pham’s car was searched. During the search, at total of more than 1.7 kilograms (approximately 3 ¾ pounds) of a meth mixture was found in the duffel bag. Purity testing on one of the heat-sealed bags showed at least 340 grams of actual methamphetamine. An additional bag containing a small amount of meth, a pipe and $5110 in cash was also found in the car.
Pham told investigators that at the time she was stopped, she was on her way to Lincoln to deliver the meth to another person. Pham said the meth found in her car was what remained of 20 pounds she transported to Nebraska from California about three weeks earlier. Pham said she made six other trips to California between late 2021 and August of 2023, and obtained a total of over 40 pounds of meth which she sold to persons in Lincoln and Grand Island.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force with assistance from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department.
California Man Sentenced for Possessing Cocaine at Omaha Bus StationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Fernando Aguirre-Quintero, age 25, of Laguna, California, was sentenced September 5, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possession with intent to deliver 500 grams or more of cocaine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Aguirre-Quintero to 90 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Aguirre-Quintero’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.
On March 1, 2023, Aguirre-Quintero got off a bus at the Trailways Bus Station in downtown Omaha. A DEA task force officer began a conversation with Aguirre-Quintero. When the task force officer asked to see Aguirre-Quintero’s bus ticket, Aguirre-Quintero told the officer he snuck onto the bus without a ticket. Dispatch advised that Aguirre-Quintero had a prior drug-related arrest.
The task force officer conducted a canine sniff of Aguirre-Quintero’s backpack, and the canine positively alerted to the scent of narcotics. The backpack was searched pursuant to a warrant. Five sealed packages containing approximately one kilogram of cocaine each were seized.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Nebraska State Patrol. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office chemistry division assisted with forensic testing of the drugs seized.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Andrew Kincaid, age 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 4, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in furtherance of the bank robbery. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Kincaid to a total sentence of 240 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Kincaid’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Kincaid was also ordered to pay $269,822 in restitution.
In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Buescher stated, “What happened here was sickening.”
On January 26, 2023, Kincaid and co-defendant Taliaferro D. Thompson while armed with handguns entered the First National Bank of Omaha location at 2625 S. 175th Streets in Omaha. Upon entering the bank, Thompson and Kincaid brandished the handguns pointing them at the employees and customers. Kincaid shoved a victim customer to the ground. During the robbery, Thompson pistol whipped a bank employee in the head and then forced that bank employee to open the vault while holding a gun to his head. Thompson also drug a pregnant bank employee across the floor by her hair before forcing her to open the teller drawer while putting a gun to her head. Thompson and Kincaid stole $348,920 from the bank which they placed in a trash bag before fleeing.
Thompson was identified as a potential suspect based on a facial recognition match from the surveillance video. Law enforcement learned of a possible residence that Thompson and Kincaid were located at. Thompson was stopped leaving that residence and found to be in possession of approximately $76,000 in currency and a handgun; a second handgun was also located in the vehicle. Kincaid was located by law enforcement in the residence and had apparent red dye on his face and head. A dumpster nearby included burnt money with red dye on it that would have been consistent with the stolen money from the bank robbery that contained a hidden red dye pack within it. Officers searched the residence and found a white belt and black mask that were consistent with items worn by Thompson during the robbery.
Thompson was sentenced on May 22, 2024, to 270 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release.
This case was investigated by officers with the Omaha Police Department’s Robbery Unit and Gang Unit as part of the FBI’s of Great Plains Violent Crimes Task Force.
Omaha Company and Company President Sentenced for Covid Related CrimesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced today that Quin Global, an entity incorporated in Nebraska, was sentenced on August 30, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for mail fraud and selling an unregistered pesticide. Matthew Petersen, age 39, of Omaha, the President of Quin Global, was sentenced for selling an unregistered pesticide. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Quin Global to a total term of 2 years’ probation and ordered Quinn Global to pay a $390,000 fine and $520 in special assessments. Matthew Petersen was sentenced to a 1-year term of probation and was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and a $25 special assessment.
“The defendants in this case perpetuated one of the largest COVID-19 fraud cases related to the sale of unregistered pesticides in the country,” said Special Agent in Charge Lance Ehrig of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division in Nebraska. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates that individuals and corporations will be held criminally responsible for profiting from false claims that preyed upon public health concerns during a global pandemic and for failing to ensure the integrity and safety of their products.”
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. § 136 et seq., regulates the distribution, sale, and use of all pesticides in the United States, including antimicrobial pesticides. Antimicrobial pesticides are substances used to destroy or suppress the growth of harmful microorganisms – such as the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 – on inanimate objects and surfaces. All pesticides distributed or sold in the United States must be registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). Registrants of antimicrobial pesticide products that claim to control microbes that pose a threat to public health must additionally submit efficacy data to support these public health claims.
Quin Global is located in Omaha and is a manufacturer of adhesive and tool systems. Matthew Petersen is the President of Quin Global. In March 2020, Quin Global began efforts to expand its business by manufacturing and selling pesticides. Quin Global initially contacted a company formerly known as Lonza, Inc. seeking to become a supplemental distributor of Lonza Inc.’s product Formulation HWS-64. Lonza, Inc. informed Quin Global that it would take months to enter into a legally permissible agreement.
In response, Quin Global purchased the product from, Buckeye International, a supplemental distributor of Lonza, Inc. The product Quin Global purchased from Buckeye International was being marketed as Buckeye Sanicare Lemon Quat. Quin Global began diluting and repackaging this product into its own proprietary pressurized canister and application systems. Quin Global sold this diluted product as a Quin Global product named Ramsol-RS1 which it marketed as being “EPA-approved” and as being effective against the COVID virus. The product being sold by Quin Global was not “EPA-approved” nor was it registered with the EPA pursuant to FIFRA since Quin Global never sought registration for the product.
In April 2020, Quin Global consulted a regulatory consultant, Delta Analytical, regarding the feasibility of registering Ramsol-RS1 product, which Quin Global was already manufacturing and distributing. Quin Global was informed of the requirements and did not seek to comply with the required EPA FIFRA registration requirements.
From April 2020 through July 2020, Quin Global distributed Ramsol-RS1 to 73 of its distributors in the United States of America and Canada. These distributors then supplied the product to their own retail customers. Quin Global received numerous inquiries from customers about the product’s validity and efficacy. Quin Global repeatedly assured their customers that its product would be effective against viruses and cited to the EPA registration for the Lonza/Buckeye product.
Lonza’s Formulation HWS-64 was listed on the EPA’s List N in March of 2020 as being approved for use against SARS-CoV-2 with the instructions that the product be utilized in accordance with directions for use against Adenovirus Type 7. Similarly, Buckeye Sanicare Lemon Quat was also listed on the EPA’s List N for use against SARS-CoV-2 at a specified concentration. For most of its accepted disinfection uses it is to be diluted at a 1/64 concentration, or 2 ounces per gallon of water. For Adenovirus Type 7 it is to be used at a higher concentration dilution of 8 ounces per gallon of water.
On or about April 24, 2020, Quin Global shipped 72 22-liter containers and 20 7-L containers of Ramsol-RS1 from Omaha to a downstream distributor, Chemical Concepts Inc., in Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania, using R&L carriers a commercial interstate carrier.
In June 2020, investigators with the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division conducted undercover purchases of 7-liter canisters of Ramsol-RS1 from Chemical Concepts and Panther East in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Chemical Concepts and Panther East are downstream distributors for Quin Global.
The two 7-Liter canisters of Ramsol-RS1 that were purchased from Chemical Concepts and Panther East were sent to the EPA National Enforcement Investigation Center (NEIC) for further testing. The NEIC found Quin Global’s product to be significantly diluted, with active ingredients being diluted more than 100 times than the product should be if diluted at 8 ounces per gallon. The Ramsol-RS1 product was also diluted well beyond what it should have been if diluted at 2 oz per gallon of water with active ingredients being diluted more than 25 times what they should have been. Ramsol-RS1 was diluted to a point well beyond efficacy against viruses and, specifically, the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Between April 2020 and July 2020, Quin Global, advertising this product as being EPA approved and as being effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, sold approximately $1.4 million worth of Ramsol-RS1 and $185,000 in related equipment. Specifically, Quin Global sold 1,148 7-liter containers and 3,363 22-liter containers. Quin Global stopped sales after being confronted by the EPA.
This case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency-Criminal Investigation Division.
Minnesota Man Sentenced for Fentanyl PossessionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that De’Shuan Whitfield, age 23, of St. Paul, Minnesota, was sentenced August 29, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possessing five pounds of fentanyl. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Whitfield to 70 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On April 23, 2022, DEA Criminal Interdiction Unit investigators were at the Trailways Bus Station in Omaha when they observed Whitfield exit a bus and leave with an untagged suitcase. Whitfield was contacted and during the course of the conversation, investigators became suspicious of Whitfield due to the way he was acting and the things he said. Whitfield admitted that he had a marijuana dispensary bag. Whitfield opened his suitcase and investigators observed the marijuana dispensary bag. Whitfield also had a backpack. After seizing the marijuana in the suitcase, the backpack was searched. The backpack contained 40 plastic bags containing 4,444 grams of counterfeit M-30 pills. The pills were later tested, and it was determined that they contained fentanyl.
This case was investigated by the DEA and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 63 Months for Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Jason C. Nottingham, age 39, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on August 29, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for transportation of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Nottingham to 63 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Nottingham will be required to complete a 5-year term of supervised release.
Internet child pornography investigators began investigating a CyberTipline report from Yahoo! stating that a user had uploaded 37 files of child pornography between January 16, 2023, and January 19, 2023. Of the 37 files, 34 were videos and 3 were photos. One file was described as a 4-minute-and-9-second video, during which an adult male sexually assaulted a naked female, approximately 3 to 5 years old. The CyberTipline report indicated that at least one of the video files was attached to an email sent from Nottingham’s Yahoo! email account to his Gmail account on or about January 18, 2023.
On May 25, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant at defendant’s residence in Omaha. Investigators contacted Nottingham and advised him that the warrant was related to child pornography. Prior to the end of his interview with investigators, Nottingham acknowledged his use of the Yahoo! email account reported by in the CyberTipline report. The warrant authorized investigators to seize Nottingham’s electronic devices.
Investigators also executed search warrants to Google for the Gmail account and to Yahoo! for the Yahoo! email account. Within the return from Google, the agent observed several hundred images and videos of artificial intelligence (“AI”) -created child sexual abuse material.
Investigators forensically examined the defendant’s electronic devices. On his computer tower hard drive, they found 26 images of child pornography. On an external hard drive, investigators located several images of partially clothed young females, approximately 13-15 years. One of the females had “I’m 14 years old” written on her chest. Based upon the forensic examination, investigators believe that the images were obtained through chats on Facebook. Investigators also located “several hundred” images and videos of AI-created child sexual abuse material on the external hard drive.
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 and Homeland Security Investigations.
North Platte Man Sentenced for Meth Distribution and Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Brad Jay Leeper, age 47, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced August 29, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for distribution of 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Senior U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Leeper to a total of 84 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Leeper’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-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, Nebraska area. In June of 2022, they were able to conduct a controlled buy, set up over Facebook, involving Leeper. The buy was audio recorded and surveilled by law enforcement. Leeper was present as the passenger in the vehicle involved in the controlled buy, personally handed the meth over, and was recorded advising the total weight as 28.38 grams. Subsequent testing by the state crime lab confirmed the substance was 100% pure meth and weighed 28 grams.
Leeper was federally indicted and on January 23, 2024, law enforcement went to Leeper’s trailer home to serve the arrest warrant. Leeper was taken into custody near the front door and gave officers permission to enter his trailer to ensure no one else was present for officer safety. When officers entered the trailer, they observed, in plain view, a 9mm handgun. When asked, Leeper then consented to a complete search of his trailer which located 53 rounds of ammunition, as well as a loaded syringe with suspected meth/fentanyl, a smoking bong, a mirror with meth residue, baggies with meth residue, and additional unused syringes. At the time of his arrest, Leeper had three prior felony convictions out of Nebraska state courts. He was also on state probation.
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)
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Michael A. Nolte, age 38, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced August 29, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for receipt of child pornography. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Nolte to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Nolte’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On July 25, 2022, KIK reported a CyberTip to NCMEC indicating that KIK user “stvhp44” had uploaded one file on or about July 19, 2022, which would be considered child pornography. The IP addresses associated with the CyberTip came back to a Nebraska residence belonging to Michael Nolte.
On December 15, 2022, the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force served a residential search warrant at Nolte’s residence in Lincoln where Nolte resided with his family. During the contact with law enforcement, Nolte admitted to previously using the KIK messenger application on his phone but deleted the application.
During a forensic examination of a laptop belonging to Michael Nolte, law enforcement observed at least 553 photographs and at least 5 videos depicting child pornography. These photographs depicted toddlers and other children under the age of twelve, including files depicting sadism. These files also included depictions of fellatio, and digital, penile, vaginal and anal penetration. There were also at least 500 photographs depicting child erotica.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Dodge Woman Sentenced for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kristin M. Uhing, age 54, of Dodge, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 29, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for bank fraud. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Uhing to 15 months’ imprisonment and ordered that she pay $172,806 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system. After Uhing’s release from prison, she will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.
Starting in about 2015, Uhing gained unauthorized online access to bank accounts and certificates of deposit owned by her mother- and father-in-law, an elderly couple who lived nearby. From then until 2021, Uhing used that unauthorized access to transfer funds from the victims’ accounts to her own account. Uhing kept the victims from learning about the unauthorized transfers by altering bank statements and by changing the account settings to paperless. Uhing also used the victims’ credit cards without authorization. In total, Uhing stole over $200,000 from the victims, which included all their retirement savings. By the time of sentencing, Uhing had paid back about $27,612.
This case was investigated by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
California Woman Sentenced to over 7 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Heroin, and CocaineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Yuri Mulato, age 42, of California, was sentenced on August 29, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of possession with intent to distribute. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Mulato to a total of 87 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Mulato’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On January 23, 2024, a state trooper stopped a vehicle driving along Interstate 80 in Nebraska. There were two occupants in the vehicle. The driver, and owner of the vehicle, was identified as Mulato. The trooper asked for permission to search the vehicle, which Mulato agreed to. The trunk area of the vehicle contained a potato chip box that was duct taped closed and a spare tire that was too large for the vehicle. The box and tire contained bricks of meth, cocaine, heroin, and pills containing fentanyl. The State Crime Lab confirmed that there was 22 kilograms of meth, including at least 2 kilograms of meth actual, just over 1 kilogram of heroin, just over 1 kilogram of pills that tested positive for fentanyl, and 475 grams of cocaine.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
California Man Sentenced to 10 Months for Using a Debit Card Stolen from the U.S. MailRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Jason C. Nottingham, age 42, of Sacramento, California, was sentenced on August 29, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for use of an unauthorized access device. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Weaver to 10 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Weaver will be required to complete a 3-year term of supervised release.
On September 19, 2023, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) began investigating an attempted burglary at the Henderson, Nebraska, post office at 1049 N. Main Street. Employees reported that the damage suggested someone unsuccessfully attempted gain entry to the locked retail lobby door using a crowbar or a similar tool. On September 25, 2023, the Henderson Postmaster received a call from a deputy who reported finding mail in a ditch. The mail included mail from rural mailboxes in Henderson, Nebraska.
On September 28, 2023, the USPIS began investigating an attempted burglary at the Fairmont, Nebraska, post office located at 455 6th Avenue. Investigators observed that approximately thirteen post office boxes had been pried open. Similar pry-bar markings were observed on the locked retail lobby door, but the door had not been opened. The post office reported similar box break-ins the weekend prior. Fairmont Police reviewed surveillance camera footage and observed a silver SUV stop at the post office for approximately twenty minutes.
On September 29, 2023, a victim reported to the Fairmont Police Department that multiple fraudulent charges were posted to his account. The police identified the suspect as Joseph Weaver and identified the suspect vehicle as a silver Toyota SUV bearing California license plates.
On October 16, 2023, the USPIS began investigating a reported attempted burglary at the Trumbull, Nebraska, post office located at 125 Main Street. Employees reported break-ins of approximately nine post office boxes and the appearance of an attempt to access the main lobby door.
On October 18, 2023, the Geneva, Nebraska, post office reported break-ins of three post office boxes, two of which were unused. On the same date, several local law enforcement agencies coordinated the execution of a search warrant at 304 West Ash in Sutton, Nebraska, where Weaver resided. Officers located numerous items of stolen mail, including mail addressed to victims with post office boxes in Geneva, Henderson, and Trumbull. Officers contacted Weaver at the residence and arrested him for possession of methamphetamine and obstruction.
On October 19, 2023, a postal inspector interviewed the Weaver at the Clay County Jail. Weaver initially stated that he received the mail from a guy in a Walmart parking lot but later admitted he lied. Weaver admitted to breaking into post office boxes in Fairmont, Geneva, and Trumbull. Weaver admitted to looking for checks and other financial instruments. Weaver was also in possession of a counterfeit arrow key (a master key to postal locks). Weaver admitted to making purchases with the Fairmont victim’s stolen debit card. The aggregate value of the items obtained by the Weaver using the victim’s stolen debit card was close to $3,000.00. Weaver stated he also took a stolen check to a bank in Lincoln, Nebraska, but left when the clerk indicated he was going to verify the check.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.
California Man Sentenced for Walmart TheftsRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jabaree Mabrey, 27, of California, was sentenced August 29, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for fraudulent use of an unauthorized access device. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Mabrey to 64 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Mabrey’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Mabrey was also ordered to pay $690,484 in restitution.
In April of 2023, Mabrey was identified and arrested after a co-defendant, Marlon Tigner had been arrested in Nebraska on state charges. Tigner was previously sentenced to 71 months in prison by Judge Gerrard for the same charges.
In the course of the investigation, it was learned that Walmart’s cash registers utilize a master key, apparently universal to all Walmart registers, regardless of location. This key is accessible only to managers and front-end supervisors. At some point, Tigner and Mabrey had come into possession of a master key and has been using that key to steal from Walmart. Documentation gathered during the investigation showed a loss of $690,484 from stores spanning from Washington state to Massachusetts and from Texas to Wisconsin attributable to Tigner and Mabrey over the last few years.
The case was prosecuted in Nebraska after Tigner was contacted on a traffic stop in Lancaster County, identified as a suspect in the nationwide thefts, and master keys were recovered from his person. Further investigation led to the identification of Mabrey as Tigner’s accomplice. Law enforcement was also able confirm that the two used the keys to steal from several Omaha Walmart stores.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department and numerous other law enforcement partners across the nation.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Aaron Cardinale, age 48, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced August 22, 2024, in federal court in Omaha after having pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Cardinale to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Cardinale’s release he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On July 27, 2022, Cardinale was stopped for a traffic violation in South Omaha. During the stop officers became suspicious of illegal activity and called for a canine that alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from within the vehicle Cardinale was driving. A search of the vehicle revealed 87 grams of actual meth.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Winnebago Man Sentenced for Domestic Assault by an Habitual OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kelton Chilson, age 29, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 23, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for domestic assault by a habitual offender in Indian Country. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Chilson to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Chilson’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
In September 2023, Chilson physically assaulted a female victim known to him by punching the victim in the face. A witness to the assault notified local law enforcement, who arrived on scene to find the victim lying in a roadway with much of her clothing torn off and obvious injuries to her head and face. The victim was transported by ambulance for emergency medical care and found to have suffered a broken nose. Prior to his assault on the victim in September 2023, Chilson 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 Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Romanian Man Sentenced for Possession of Device Making Equipment and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Ciprian Amariutei, 37, a Romanian citizen whose address is unknown, was sentenced on August 23, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possession of device making equipment with intent to defraud and aggravated identity theft. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Amariutei to 16 months in prison for possession of device making equipment with intent to defraud and a consecutive 24 months in prison for aggravated identity theft. There is no parole in the federal system. After Amariutei’s release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.
On March 8, 2024, Amariutei’s co-defendant, Mona Maria Tataru, 32, also a Romanian citizen, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for possession of device making equipment with intent to defraud and a consecutive 24 months in prison for aggravated identity theft, to be followed by two years of supervised release.
In April 2023, surveillance video showed Amariutei, accompanied by Tataru, placing a skimming device and pinhole camera on an ATM in Omaha. Omaha police officers found the vehicle shown in the video and contacted Amariutei and Tataru at a local motel. Officers located in Amariutei’s and Tataru’s possession more skimming devices and cameras, equipment to generate phony debit and ATM cards, and several cards that had been encoded with stolen bank account information that enabled them to be used as ATM cards. In total, officers located approximately 220 sets of bank account information corresponding to accounts at more than a dozen different banks.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Omaha Police Department.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 210 Months for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Neon Chang, age 41, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on August 23, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for production of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Chang to 210 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Chang will be required to complete a 10-year term of supervised release. Chang was also ordered to pay a special assessment in the amount of $5,000 pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Victim Assistance Act of 2018.
An investigation into the online sharing of child pornography led law enforcement officers to obtain a warrant for the search of Chang’s residence in November 2023. Chang was not present but was later interviewed at his place of employment. Chang told investigators that he used a specific software program to receive and download child pornography. Among the child pornography files made available for sharing by Chang through the peer-to-peer program included prepubescent minors, minors under the age of twelve, and files showing sexual abuse or exploitation of toddlers. Chang also admitted that in 2019, he recorded sexual encounters involving himself, his spouse, and a minor victim.
Investigators were able to locate 28 video files on a computer seized from the basement of the residence. The investigator viewed the video files and found they were created in January and February of 2019, when the minor victim was approximately thirteen years old. The videos corroborated Chang’s statements regarding the sexual encounters involving him, his spouse, and the minor victim. One of the videos recorded from a stationary camera depicts the minor victim having sexual intercourse with Chang’s spouse at Chang’s direction, while Chang was also using a cell phone camera to record the sexual encounter. During the sentencing hearing, Chief Judge Rossiter characterized Chang’s conduct as “beyond horrible.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Omaha Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Anthony Stephens, age 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced August 23, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, for his involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Stephens to 188 months’ imprisonment. Stephens also agreed to the forfeiture of $10,500. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.
On September 9, 2022, law enforcement was called to the Microtel Inn and Suites in Bellevue, Nebraska to remove a party from one of the rooms. The hotel manager informed the officers that a male occupant in the room had rented the room for one night and was supposed to check out by noon but had not. The manager and officers went to the room. After gaining access, they found Stephens unresponsive with no pulse. Defendant was ultimately shaken awake.
In the hotel room, officers located $10,500 in United States currency, drug paraphernalia, a black baton, brass knuckles, baggies, two vehicle fobs, digital scales, two cell phones, approximately 465.5 grams of marijuana, 851 grams of pure meth, and a smattering of pills. Stephens was arrested and told officers that he had been dealing pound quantities of meth since April 2022.
This case was investigated by the Bellevue Police Department.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that John C. Shores, Jr., age 55, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 23, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for attempted sexual exploitation of a child. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Shores to 240 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Shores’ release from prison, he will begin a 20-year term of supervised release. Shores was also ordered to pay $7,600 in special assessments as part of his sentence.
In pronouncing his sentence, Chief Judge Rossiter told Shores “I don’t discount what you’ve done with the community in the light, but what you’ve done here was in the dark.”
From August 4, 2023, through August 10, 2023, Shores used his cell phone to engage in an online conversation via the chat application Whisper and text messages with an undercover officer who was purporting to be a 13-year-old girl. During the conversations, Shores asked who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl to exchange naked and sexually explicit pictures for the purpose of masturbation. Shores also sent sexually explicit images to the other user.
On August 10, 2023, Shores made arrangements to meet with who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl and arrived at the meeting location in Omaha as arranged. Law enforcement contacted Shores and seized four cell phones from Shore’s vehicle. Forensic examinations of Shore’s cell phones revealed numerous sexually explicit online conversations to include conversations with individuals claiming to be as young as 11 years old. In one conversation, occurring primarily between July 7, 2020, and July 27, 2020, Shores contacted and conversed with 13-year-old female who resided in southeastern Nebraska.
This case was investigated by law enforcement agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office as part of the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Cory A. Goforth, age 42, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced August 22, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, after having pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and delivery of methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Goforth to 168 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Goforth’s release he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On July 5, 2023, a cooperating witness purchased 27 grams of actual meth from Goforth at an Omaha location. On July 26, 2023, a search warrant was conducted at Goforth’s Omaha residence. Officers found 115 grams of meth along with evidence of drug dealing. Goforth was home at the time and during a post arrest interview, admitted to purchasing 2-3 pounds per week for the past 4-5 months from his supplier.
This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Norfolk Man Sentenced to 120 Months for Conspiring to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that John E. Kohler, age 53, of Norfolk, Nebraska was sentenced on August 22, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Kohler to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Kohler will be required to complete a 5-year term of supervised release.
Kohler sold methamphetamine to an undercover investigator in Nebraska on three occasions in 2022. The first sale occurred on April 18, 2022, and yielded approximately one ounce of meth. The second sale occurred on April 26, 2022, and yielded 1¾ ounces of meth. The third sale occurred on August 24, 2022, and yielded 2 ounces of meth.
On March 2, 2023, the undercover investigator arranged another deal to purchase 8 ounces of meth from Kohler. Kohler was pulled over in Lincoln, Nebraska before completing the sale. During a search of Kohler’s vehicle, over 8 ounces of meth was found in his possession.
Evidence from Kohler’s phone dating back to February 13, 2022, corroborated Kohler’s involvement in meth trafficking with other parties.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol as part of the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.
Former Alliance, Nebraska Man Convicted by Jury for Transportation & Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that a federal jury in Lincoln, Nebraska, returned a guilty verdict today, August 21, 2024, against Tyler Denby, age 39, formerly of Alliance, Nebraska, for one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. The verdict subjects Denby to a potential prison term of up to twenty years on each count and a minimum of five years on the transportation count. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis presided over the trial and set sentencing for November 21, 2024.
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, the officer’s 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, along with some other very concerning items, including 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.
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.
Texas Man Sentenced for Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Lonnie Embers, age 53, of San Marcos, Texas, was sentenced August 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Embers to 46 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Embers’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
Drug Enforcement Agents agents became aware of co-defendant Gary Pope II as a dealer of cocaine in the Omaha area. This led to a three-month wiretap of Pope’s cell phone in 2022. The wiretap intercepts and resulting investigation confirmed that Pope would receive cocaine deliveries from Texas in kilogram quantities and sell the cocaine in lesser quantities in the Omaha area.
Embers talked on the phone with Pope about distributing cocaine and was seen meeting with Pope at an Omaha hotel for a suspected one-kilogram transaction in June 2022. On July 15, 2022, Embers was arrested in Oklahoma with approximately two kilograms of cocaine and two firearms, a loaded 9 mm pistol and a .270-caliber rifle in a gun case. After being advised of his rights, Embers told investigators he was being paid to transport the cocaine to Omaha from San Antonio.
Pope, age 42, was sentenced to 87 months in prison earlier this year. Pope also received an additional 66-month sentence in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Co-defendant Joseph Reyes, age 34, of Houston has been sentenced to 46 months in prison.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 33 Months for Assaulting an Offutt AFB Airman with a Deadly WeaponRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Robert A. Williams, age 29, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on August 16, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for assault on a federal officer with a dangerous or deadly weapon. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Williams to 33 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Williams will be required to complete a 3-year term of supervised release.
On November 30, 2023, Williams drove a blue Honda CR-V to the USSTRATCOM gate at Offutt Air Force Base. He stopped at the entry control point (ECP) as directed by entry controllers, both of whom were uniformed U.S. Air Force Security Forces Airmen. An entry controller, suspecting that Williams was driving under the influence, placed a cone in front of the CR-V. Williams ran over the cone and drove onto the installation at a high rate of speed. Controllers activated barriers past the ECP and Williams was forced to U-turn at least twice, eventually speeding back toward the ECP. The two controllers attempted to stop the CR-V while it was headed towards them. Williams narrowly missed hitting one of the Airmen and both were forced to move out of the way of the CR-V. The controllers were placed in immediate danger as the CR-V approached, and they fired rounds into the vehicle. Williams nonetheless drove the CR-V back through the ECP and off the installation.
Investigators determined that Williams purchased the CR-V from a used car dealer two days prior to the incident and subsequently located it at Williams’s address in Omaha. Once investigators learned his identity, Williams was positively identified as the driver of the CR-V by the Airmen at the ECP and through video evidence of the encounter at the ECP. A motor vehicle is considered a deadly or dangerous weapon when driven in a manner likely to endanger lives.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the 55th Wing Security Forces Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Joe Paul Shultz, age 40, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced August 16, 20224 in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Shultz to 114 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Shultz is released from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On April 27, 2020, Shultz delivered fentanyl to a victim, which contributed to an overdose death. Law enforcement investigated the overdose and located Shultz as the suspect. An autopsy was conducted on the victim, and the cause of death was buprenorphine and fentanyl toxicity. Law enforcement contacted Shultz, who admitted to the delivery of two fentanyl pills to the victim before the overdose. Law enforcement could not locate the source of the buprenorphine as it was not prescribed by a doctor. Shultz was also known to sell fentanyl pills to other individuals in the Lincoln, Nebraska metro area.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.
Justice Department Secures Agreement with Nebraska School District to End Discriminatory Treatment of Deaf and Hard of Hearing StudentsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it filed a complaint and proposed consent decree to resolve allegations that Lincoln Public Schools (LPS), in Lincoln, Nebraska, violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by denying some deaf and hard of hearing students an equal opportunity to attend their neighborhood schools or participate in the high school choice program.
Under LPS’ cluster school policy, deaf and hard of hearing students believed to need American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation had to attend cluster schools serving deaf and hard of hearing students. In applying this policy, LPS did not consider the individualized needs of deaf and hard of hearing students, denied them an equal opportunity to participate in neighborhood school and high school choice programs and failed to provide effective communication to some deaf and hard of hearing students.
“Denying students with disabilities access to their neighborhood schools based on a blanket policy denies such students the opportunity to experience school with their siblings, friends, and neighbors and is discriminatory,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is pleased that LPS has changed its practices and will work to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing students have equal educational opportunities.”
LPS’ reliance on the cluster school policy harmed students who are deaf or hard of hearing and their parents. One student placed in a cluster school experienced long daily commutes each day. LPS’ cluster school requirement also harmed the impacted students’ parents who incurred transportation and other costs taking their children to the distant cluster schools.
Under the proposed consent decree, which must be approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska, LPS has agreed to pay $12,000 to compensate individuals the policy harmed; end its blanket policy of requiring deaf and hard of hearing students believed to need ASL to attend a cluster school; adopt non-discrimination policies and complaint procedures; designate an ADA coordinator; train staff; and provide reports to the department during a monitoring period.
The department previously provided its findings and minimum remedial measures necessary in a letter to the school district. View the letter of findings here. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or (TTY 833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov. ADA complaints can be filed online at www.ada.gov/complaint.
Remote video URLOmaha Man Sentenced to 235 Months in $1 Million Dollar Bank Robbery ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Demitrius Alston, age 34, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on August 14, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for bank robbery, attempted bank robbery, and conspiracy to commit interference with interstate commerce by way of robbery. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Alston to 235 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Alston will be required to complete a 3-year term of supervised release. The amount of restitution to be ordered will be determined at a future hearing.
Alston was indicted in three criminal cases in 2020. He is the last defendant to be sentenced in a conspiracy to rob federally insured banks across Nebraska, South Dakota, North Carolina, and Iowa between 2015 and 2020. The first indictment returned by the grand jury charged him with conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by robbery involving four other defendants and fifteen banks. The defendants, who wore disguises and masks, would generally initiate “takeover” style robberies, establishing control of the employees and customers in the banks by brandishing firearms, enabling them to gain access to the vaults. In the conspiracy case, the defendants robbed federally insured banks of $959,147.68 between June 1, 2015, and June 22, 2018.
Next, Alston was indicted by a grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina. The indictment charged him with robbing a Wells Fargo Bank on July 29, 2019, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The North Carolina case was later transferred from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina to the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska for disposition. During that robbery, Alston and another suspect robbed the bank of over $77,000.00 in a similar “takeover” style manner, fleeing in a 1993 Chevy Lumina. On the same day, Alston entered the Fayetteville Regional Airport and approached a TSA security checkpoint. As he was being screened, TSA agents flagged his bag for inspection. The TSA agent searching the backpack located large sums of U.S. currency. Alston snatched the bag and took off running. As he ran, he dropped a large sum of currency inside the terminal and his backpack. Investigators recovered $38,110.00 in new, crisp bills (approximately half of the amount stolen from the bank). Alston also left his Nebraska identification, cellphone, and boarding pass in the security bin. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) later searched Alston’s home in Nebraska and recovered the title to a 1993 Chevrolet that was used as the getaway car and seized by the Fayetteville Police Department.
The final indictment returned by the grand jury in the District of Nebraska charged Alston and a codefendant with attempted robbery of a Metro Credit Union and a robbery of a Wells Fargo Bank in Nebraska. On September 25, 2018, Alston and codefendant Brealon Goodwin attempted to rob a Metro Credit Union located on North 72nd Street in Omaha. Alston and Goodwin wore disguises and used a stolen red Jeep to flee. On September 28, 2018, Alston and Goodwin robbed the Wells Fargo Bank of over $16,000.00. During the Wells Fargo robbery, Alston and Goodwin wore disguises and demanded money, and one of the defendants had his hand in his pocket in a manner suggesting to the teller that he was carrying a concealed firearm.
Alston was able to avoid arrest until September 27, 2021. During an interview with investigators, he admitted he participated in nearly two dozen robberies, including those charged. All the banks were federally insured.
Among the related defendants, Brealon Goodwin was sentenced to concurrent sentences of imprisonment for 69 months on each of three counts of conviction in two of the cases involving Alston. Kevin Brown was sentenced to consecutive sentences of imprisonment on two counts of conviction, totaling 128 months, Tristen Coleman was sentenced to consecutive sentences of imprisonment on two counts of conviction, totaling 100 months. Charles Ware was sentenced to consecutive sentences of imprisonment on each of two counts of conviction, totaling 170 months. The related defendants were sentenced in 2022 and 2023.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Omaha Police Department, and the Lincoln Police Department.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Distribution of Methamphetamine and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jimmy P. Nguyen, age 30, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 13, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for one count of distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm during/in furtherance of drug trafficking. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Nguyen to a total of 120 months’ imprisonment for both counts. There is no parole in the federal system. After Nguyen’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On December 16, 2021, Nguyen agreed to sell two semi-automatic handguns to a Confidential Informant (CI) in Lincoln. Nguyen then informed the CI that he had two ounces of meth that he could sell to the CI as well. Ultimately, Nguyen and the CI agreed that Nguyen would sell the two handguns and one ounce of meth. They agreed to meet at a parking lot of a grocery store in Lincoln. The purchase of the firearms and meth occurred in the CI’s vehicle. After the controlled buy, the firearms and baggie of crystalline substance were turned over to law enforcement. The firearms were a SCCY CPX-2 9mm handgun and a FN FNS-9 Compact 9mm handgun, which had a defaced serial number. The crystalline substance was lab tested and confirmed to be at least 25 grams meth actual.
This case was investigated by the Greater Omaha Safe Streets Task Force (GOSSTF). GOSSTF is a task force with law enforcement personnel from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Omaha Police Department, Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Nebraska Man Sentenced for Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Frantz Kolbjornsen, age 44, of Phillips, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 13, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Kolbjornsen to 72 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Kolbjornsen’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Kolbjornsen has also been ordered to pay $18,000.00 in restitution.
NSP Investigators were investigating the BitTorrent network, seeking offenders sharing child pornography, when they identified a device at an IP address that had downloaded a torrent. This torrent was of interest to law enforcement as at least one of the 5,971 files had been previously identified as child pornography. The Investigator was able to connect with the suspect device utilizing the identified IP address and successfully downloaded 29 of the 5,971 files. The suspect device was the sole source of download, and as such, each of the 29 files were directly downloaded from the suspect device.
An investigation into the IP address utilized by the suspect device revealed that the IP address in question had been leased to Kolbjornsen. The service address, phone number and email address tied to the account all belonged to Kolbjornsen.
On November 30, 2023, a search warrant was conducted at Kolbjornsen’s residence in Phillips, Nebraska. Law enforcement seized a Samsung cell phone from the Kolbjornsen’s pocket, a Verizon Orbit cell phone, RCA Tablet and an HP laptop computer from the shed where he was located.
A search was conducted of the four items seized. In total, 163 videos and 638 images of child pornography were located.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Andre N. Schwindt, age 43, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 13, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for receipt of child pornography. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Meyer to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Schwindt’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Schwindt was additionally ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution.
This case began on April 11, 2022, when a CyberTip to National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicated that a Dropbox user uploaded three files on April 10, 2022, which were considered child pornography. The IP addresses associated with the CyberTip came back to Schwindt at an address in Lincoln. On or about July 27, 2023, an investigator met with Schwindt in Lincoln. During the meeting, Schwindt admitted to owning the Dropbox account, viewing child pornography involving children under the age of 14, and actively searching for it. Schwindt also gave the investigator permission to preview his cell phone. Schwindt showed the investigator where the child pornography files would be found on his cell phone.
Schwindt’s cell phone was seized and on August 1, 2023, a search warrant was received to forensically review the contents of the cell phone. During the examination of the phone, the investigator found more than 534 images and 9 video files of child pornography. Most files depicted male children under the age of 12.
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 Nebraska State Patrol.
Lincoln Man Found Guilty of 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 found guilty on August 12, 2024, of distribution of fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced found Harris guilty of both counts after a non-jury trial held on July 18, 2024, in which the United States presented evidence in the form of investigative reports, medical and fire department records, store surveillance video and recorded interviews with Harris and the victim. The parties submitted written arguments and Judge Gerrard announced his verdict on August 12, 2024.
The United States presented evidence showing on February 14, 2024, Harris and the victim were at a social gathering and decided to walk to a nearby convenience store to purchase alcoholic beverages. The victim later stated that about a week before this incident, Harris had offered to sell her some heroin. On the way to the convenience store, the victim asked Harris if he still had heroin available. He told her he did, and they stopped at Harris’s Lincoln apartment, where he drew out a line of powder substance on a mirror and both he and the victim snorted some of the powder. Harris and the victim then walked to the convenience store where the victim purchased 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 was called by a clerk at the convenience store. LFR responded and administered Narcan to the victim. She woke up in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
On February 15, 2024, investigators with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force interviewed the victim after her release from the hospital. A search warrant was then obtained for Harris’s apartment. During a search of his apartment, investigators found powder on a mirror and cut off straws matching the descriptions given by the victim. Harris ultimately admitted he provided the fentanyl powder to the victim which resulted in her overdose. Harris said after the victim’s overdose, he went home and used the rest of the fentanyl powder. On February 15, 2024, he bought an additional quantity of what he believed to be heroin from his source and told investigators the powder found during the search of his apartment was what remained from the drugs he obtained on February 15, 2024.
Testing at the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab later showed the presence of fentanyl in the victim’s urine sample. The 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 her use of fentanyl and found it was likely that she would have died or would have suffered serious debilitating injuries if she had not been promptly treated with Narcan.
Harris’s phone contained text conversations between Harris and another person which occurred on February 15, 2024. In those conversations, Harris talked about the victim’s overdose the night before and his involvement. Harris and the other person agreed that Harris would obtain drugs for the other person on that date. Additional text messages showed the customer sent funds to Harris to pay for the drugs using a money transfer app.
Sentencing in this case is scheduled for November 25, 2024. Harris faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and up to life in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force, the Nebraska State Patrol, and Lincoln Fire & Rescue.
Former NFL Player Sentenced for Coercion and Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Nicholas Murphy, age 44, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced August 8, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for coercion and enticement of a minor. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Murphy to 57 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Murphy is released from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine and restitution to the victim.
Sometime in 2021, Murphy began a relationship with a 17-year-old who was a dancer at The Dance Authority, a studio in Omaha. Murphy’s wife was the former owner of The Dance Authority. Murphy had communication with the minor which developed into a romantic relationship. In October 2021, Murphy purchased the minor a first-class airline ticket after the minor’s mother, who did not know about the relationship, inquired if Murphy had any travel plans between Arizona and Nebraska, and if the minor could accompany Murphy. After flying to Arizona together from Omaha, Murphy had sex with the minor in his hotel. In Arizona, it is illegal to have sex with a minor under the age of 18 years of age. Murphy pleaded guilty to persuading and enticing the minor to travel in interstate commerce to engage in sex.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
California Man Sentenced for Distributing Methamphetamine and Fentanyl and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Ramon Lopez-Larios, age 53, of San Ysidro, California, was sentenced August 6, 2024 in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 100 grams or more of fentanyl and for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Lopez-Larios to 168 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Lopez-Larios is released from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. He will also forfeit $2,900.00 in U.S. currency to the United States as drug proceeds.
On August 18, 2022, Nebraska State Patrol conducted a traffic stop of a California vehicle on I-80 at mile marker 231. Law enforcement utilized a K-9, which indicated to the presence of narcotics. Law enforcement then searched the vehicle and located two statues. Law enforcement used a Viken Backscatter X-ray machine, and it showed concealed packages inside the statues. Troopers tested the packages, and they contained meth. Law enforcement seized 59 pounds of meth and 9 pounds of fentanyl from the vehicle. Upon further investigation, a firearm was located inside a bucket in the back of the vehicle. Law enforcement confirmed that Lopez-Larios is an illegal alien. In addition, $2,900.00 in U.S. currency was seized from Lopez-Larios’ pants pocket.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine and Firearm ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Alejandro Escamilla, 50, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced August 2, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, for his involvement in a methamphetamine and firearm conspiracy. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr. sentenced Escamilla to 224 months’ imprisonment. Escamilla also agreed to the forfeiture of $9,594 and a 2014 Kawasaki Motorcycle. 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 27, 2022, law enforcement made arrangements to buy meth from Escamilla. A controlled buy was completed and Escamilla sold law enforcement one pound of meth. During the controlled buy, Escamilla utilized his 2015 Kawasaki motorcycle to facilitate the drug deal. On December 14, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant of Escamilla’s residence in Omaha. Law enforcement seized $9,594 in United States currency from Escamilla’s bedroom. This currency is derived from drug proceeds and was utilized to facilitate Escamilla’s drug trafficking activities. Law enforcement also seized a Ruger handgun and multiple boxes of ammunition from the same bedroom. In a detached garage, law enforcement seized 62 pounds of meth. Escamilla admitted to law enforcement that the 62 pounds of meth was what was left over from the 120 pounds he received in a shipment roughly two weeks prior.
This case was investigated by the DEA.
Mexican National Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Brayan De La Cruz Cuahutzihua, age 24, of Ixtapaluca, Mexico, was sentenced August 2, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, after having pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr. sentenced Cauhutzihua to 168 months’ imprisonment. After completing his term of imprisonment Cauhutzihua will be deported to Mexico as he is not a United States citizen.
On October 27, 2022, the FBI utilized a confidential informant who purchased one pound of meth from Cauhutzihua in the back parking lot of the Nebraska Furniture Mart located at 72nd Street, Omaha, NE. Cauhutzihua was accompanied by codefendants Francis C. Murillo and Jesus Manuel Sauceeda Perea when they arrived at the meet location in the same vehicle.
On March 03, 2023, agents obtained a federal search warrant for the defendants’ South Omaha residence that resulted in the discovery of approximately six pounds of meth, 19 pounds of marijuana, $41,784.00 in drug proceeds, and multiple cellular devices. The money has since been administratively forfeited to the government.
Murillo and Sauceeda Perea are awaiting trial at a date yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Former Ericson State Bank President Sentenced for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jackie Poulsen, aka Jack Poulsen, 71, of Ericson, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 1, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for bank fraud. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Poulsen to 18 months’ imprisonment with 5 years of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system. Poulsen was additionally ordered to pay a $815,000 in restitution.
Poulsen was the President of Ericson State Bank (ESB) from June of 2010 until September of 2019. He was additionally on the Board of Directors for the bank. In his role as President of ESB, he was responsible for overseeing all ESB’s affairs and managing ESB’s day-to-day operations. ESB, like any other bank in Nebraska, had to undergo regular examinations conducted by the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance (NDBF). One such examination occurred in October of 2017, which ESB passed. The next examination occurred in April of 2019. The 2019 examination revealed that ESB’s condition had significantly deteriorated since the 2017 examination. NDBF indicated in a report that this deterioration was “due in large part to [ESB] being operated without regard for laws, regulations, prudent banking policies, and practices.”
During the investigation that followed the 2019 examination, the NDBF discovered that there were significant violations of the Nebraska statutory lending limits and that Poulsen had personally made, or was directly responsible for, many of the loans, lines of credit, and coverups of overdrafts that were in violation of the law, and which were adversely affecting the safety and soundness of ESB. A substantial number of the violations involved accounts and loans held by a relative of Poulsen’s and the relative’s business-related entities. NDBF examiners determined that a specific loan to Poulsen’s relative had been continuously more than the statutory lending limit since November 2017, or approximately one month after the 2017 Examination. NDBF examiners further determined that since May 29, 2019, Poulsen made multiple advances to the relative and charged off a portion of the borrowings without completing the appropriate paperwork or seeking approval from the Board or loan committee.
NDBF examiners discovered that some lending limit violations had substantially increased in size through increases in operating lines of credit, additional advances, and/or payment of overdrafts since the May 29, 2019, meeting. NDBF examiners determined that as of August 26, 2019, maturity dates on loans had been extended multiple times without formal documentation; borrowers’ financial information was inadequate; collateral for loans was either non-existent or poorly documented and managed, and deposit accounts, including those held by his relative, were frequently and substantially overdrawn. Poulsen’s scheme to defraud continued until September of 2019, when Poulsen was removed from his positions of authority with ESB based on NDBF’s findings. Poulsen’s license was also revoked.
As of December 31, 2019, ESB had total assets of approximately $110,879,000. However, on February 14, 2020, NDBF closed ESB and appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), as liquidator and receiver of ESB. Mark Quandahl, NDBF Director issued a statement regarding the failure of ESB which stated, “The failure of Ericson State Bank resulted primarily from large out-of-territory commercial loan losses and poor management practices which led to a deterioration of the bank’s capital. When the capital was not replenished the Department was left with no option but to place the insolvent institution into receivership.”
The FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Farmers and Merchants Bank, Milford, NE, in which the purchasing bank assumed all customer deposits of ESB. At the time of ESB’s failure, ESB was a state chartered financial institution regulated and examined by the NDBF and it was determined that a loss of $815,000 was attributable to the insider-related loans which were subject to Poulsen’s scheme.
The investigation and subsequent prosecution of this matter was the result of the work of multiple agencies in conjunction with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District od Nebraska. Following today’s sentencing the following comments were made:
“The people of Nebraska expect their monies to be safe when they choose to place their trust in local banks.” Said United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr. “No bank officials should be permitted to abuse that trust for the sake of their and their family’s personal gain. The United States Attorney’s Office thanks all law enforcement agencies who worked diligently on the thorough investigation of this case.”
FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “Not only did Jack Poulsen’s financial scheme of insider-related loans lead to his sentence to federal prison, it also led to the collapse of a bank that had served rural Nebraska for 60 years. The FBI is committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to hold accountable those who exploit their positions of trust to defraud financial institutions.”
“Jack Poulsen exploited his position as a bank executive to commit fraud that ultimately led to Ericson State Bank’s failure,” said Jon Ellwanger, Special Agent in Charge, Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “His sentencing sends a clear message that bank executives who commit fraud will be brought to justice for their actions. We are proud to have worked with our federal law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold Mr. Poulsen accountable for his crimes.”
“As both bank president and board member, the defendant had a duty to conduct business honestly but instead abused that trust and committed insider fraud, contributing to the failure of a bank that had been part of the Federal Home Loan Bank System for more than 60 years,” said Korey Brinkman, Special-Agent-in-Charge of FHFA-OIG’s Midwest Region. “We will continue to vigorously investigate criminal offenses involving frauds that impact the integrity, safety, and soundness of Federal Home Loan Banks and member banks. We are proud to partner with our colleagues and the United States Attorney’s Office with this investigation.”
“Today's sentencing holds the defendant accountable for defrauding Ericson State Bank by misusing his position as president of the bank to conceal the true financial condition of these loans from the institution and its Board of Directors,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin R. Bundy of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG), Kansas City Region. “The FDIC OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice bank insiders who violate their positions of trust and commit fraudulent acts that threaten to undermine the integrity of our Nation’s financial institutions.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, Federal Reserve Board – Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
Brookings, South Dakota Man Sentenced for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Harley Degroat, 45, of Brookings, South Dakota, was sentenced on July 31, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Degroat to 192 months’ imprisonment with a 10-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system. Degroat was found to be a career offender under federal law, and his sentence was enhanced due to a 2019 conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the District of Wyoming.
On October 3, 2020, a Merrick County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a driver for speeding along Highway 30 in Merrick County. Degroat was driving and a female was in the front passenger seat. The deputy learned that Degroat had an active arrest warrant out of Pottawattamie County, Iowa for violating probation. The deputy arrested Degroat on the warrant. Degroat and his passenger gave conflicting information about their travel plans. A drug dog alerted and indicated to the presence of narcotics in Degroat’s car. Investigators searched the car, locating a black case near the engine compartment containing bags of meth, heroin, THC cartridges, marijuana, and a black Ruger .380 firearm. An analyst from the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab confirmed the presence of about three pounds of meth and a half-ounce of heroin.
This case was investigated by the Merrick County Sheriff’s Office and the Trident Drug Task Force, which is made up of officers from the Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff, Hastings Police Department, Adams County Sheriff, Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Niobrara Ford Dealership Sentenced in Relation to Clean Air Act ViolationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Moody Motor Co., Inc., located in Niobrara, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 31, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for accessory after the fact to a Clean Air Act violation. United States District Court Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Moody Motor Co., Inc. to a 1-year term of probation, a fine in the amount of $ 39,741.95, and a $125 special assessment.
Moody Motor Co., Inc. is a certified Ford dealership located in Niobrara. In addition to selling new and used vehicles, Moody Motor Co., Inc. has a vehicle service department. Moody Motor Co., Inc. has been in operation since 1955.
In January 2022, Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigations Division (EPA-CID) received information stemming from an investigation in Dallas, Texas involving Diesel Performance of Texas (DPTX). DPTX sold tuners and delete kits which are products used to modify exhaust systems in violation of the Clean Air Act. An employee of DPTX had supplied Moody Motor Co., Inc. with these products. DPTX sold Moody Motors these products approximately 14 times between April 2019 and January 31, 2022.
On April 28, 2022, EPA-CID executed a search warrant at Moody Motor Co., Inc. and interviewed multiple employees. The employees admitted to performing aftermarket delete and tune work. One of the mechanics estimated that they had installed delete devices on approximately 10-20 vehicles. The mechanic confirmed that the tunes used were purchased from DPTX. One truck that Moody Motor Co., Inc. installed a delete device on was identified and was owned by a relative of one of the employees. Moody Motor Co., Inc.’s employees stated that they did this because the truck was a trade in that needed a lot of work done on it to include having sensors out and that this was easier than replacing the sensors. They did install a straight pipe and an EGR block on the truck. The owner of the truck was contacted and agreed to bring the truck in to be inspected by EPA-CID who confirmed that the emissions control system had been illegally modified and the invoice reflected that the delete tune had been purchased from DPTX.
This case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigation Division.