These communities developed solutions. The U.S. Attorney of the Nebraska District, Deb Gilg, referred to those taken into custody as a 'Whos Who' of major meth dealers in western Nebraska, likely supplied by drug cartels based in Mexico. News FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The individuals received federal indictments for distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Lets think of it as an octopus, Gilg said. United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Austin Galvan, 41, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for felon in possession of ammunition. The charges allege a firearms conspiracy; conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act); drug trafficking crimes; and multiple charges of possessing firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence and drug trafficking crimes. This case was primarily investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lincoln Police Department with operational assistance from the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office and the United States Marshals Service. a local auto detailing shop was raided by FBI agents and sheriffs deputies. The first of 60 suspected meth dealers appeared in federal court in Omaha Friday following their arrest in a groundbreaking series of police raids in western Nebraska and Colorado. Seven from Panhandle indicted in 'one of the largest drug busts in This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justices signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The Nebraska State Patrol says in a news release that the marijuana was found Saturday afternoon, when a trooper noticed a commercial box truck stopped on the shoulder of eastbound I-80 near Cozad and stopped to help. The trooper later became suspicious that the truck was involved in criminal activity, and it was towed to a patrol office in Lexington and searched. State troopers have found a massive load of marijuana worth about $5 million in a disabled commercial truck on Interstate 80 in south-central Nebraska. The trooper later became suspicious that the truck was involved in criminal activity, and it was towed to a patrol office in Lexington and searched. United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Austin Galvan, 41, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for felon in possession of ammunition. United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced federal criminal charges against 12 members of the No Name Demons Gang in Lincoln, Nebraska. Teams of local and federal officers were deployed to locations across the region and arrests began at exactly the same time to reduce the chance those being pursued would warn one another. A series of previous arrests stretching over the last three years brought on even more leads culminating in the police sweep this week. Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a Lincoln man after a hit and run crash led to a pursuit in north Lincoln. Nebraska law enforcement agencies involved in the operation and investigation also included the Central City Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol. Omaha NE 68102, Omaha:(402) 661-3700 U.S. Attorney Kelly praised the efforts of the Lincoln Police Department, the Lancaster County Attorneys Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other agencies for coming together on this investigation and prosecution. 2020 (184) 2019 (185) 2018 (133) 2017 (91) 2016 (116) 2015 (127 . The auto detailing shop in Blue Hill, Nebraska raided by the FBI this week. Nearly 2,300 pounds of marijuana found in truck in Nebraska - KCCI Marshals Service and Webster County Sheriffs Department. We appreciate the focused work by so many talented and driven staff leading to the arrests.. Some of the charged defendants, if convicted, face up to life in federal prison. While all of those arrested will still face trial and are presumed innocent until found guilty, Gilg estimated more than 90 percent of the drug cases originating from a federal grand jury in the Omaha District have ended in guilty verdicts or plea agreements. United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Bath Par Kuol, 27, of Lexington, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 17, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The first of 60 suspected meth dealers appeared in federal court in Omaha Friday following their arrest in a "groundbreaking" series of police raids in western Nebraska and Colorado. NORTH PLATTE, Neb. United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Claude Parker, 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 17, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for Felon in Possession of Ammunition. A year-long investigation . District of Nebraska | News | United States Department of Justice The Omaha office of the FBI coordinated the sweep. United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Thomas Costanza, 52, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possession of a firearm by a felon. FBI says it has taken down western Nebraska drug trafficking operation Legislature Nixes Food Benefits for Released Drug Offenders, Interdisciplinary Roundtable Seeks to Address Opioid Challenges, Federal Judge Allows Nebraska Execution To Move Forward. (See the original story from NET News). . At least one of the 63 people indicted is a Grand Island resident, Elliott said. Connecting Nebraska through PBS, NPR and original content for nearly 70 years. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Environment and Natural Resources Division, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, Omaha Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Felon In Possession of Ammunition, Omaha Man Sentenced for Possessing with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, February 2023 Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska, Omaha Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Firearms and Methamphetamine Charges, Omaha Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, North Platte Woman Sentenced for Drug Trafficking Crime, Omaha Man Sentenced to More Than 17 Years Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking and Gun Charges, Lexington Man Sentenced for Unlawful Firearm Possession, Omaha Man Sentenced For Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Minnesota Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Drugs, Former Dodge County Attorney Sentenced for Civil Rights Violation, Mexican Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Several were well known to local law enforcement with many previous drug-related arrests. Lock Have a question about Government Services? Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Departments past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Lincoln, NEB. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. . Sources involved in aspects of the investigation confirmed to NET News the arrests are an outgrowth of an operation nicknamed Mexican Seafood stretching back to 2012 when two individuals arrested for selling marijuana provided information about methamphetamine dealers in western Nebraska and northeast Colorado. Jeff Bahr. This is an incredible effort involving nearly 30 law enforcement agencies, Gilg said in a news release. Colorado law enforcement agencies involved were the Denver office of the FBI, the Holyoke Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriffs Department and the U.S. attorneys office for the District of Colorado. Other entities taking part were the Alliance Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriffs Department, Cheyenne County Sheriffs Department, Cozad Police Department, Dawson County Sheriffs Department, Deuel County Sheriffs Department, Gering Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Kearney Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriffs Department, North Platte Police Department, Ogallala Police Department, Perkins County Sheriffs Department, Red Willow County Sheriffs Department, Scottsbluff Police Department, Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs Department, Sidney Police Department, U.S. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KCCI-TV. United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Eric D. Colclasure, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 17, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime. U.S. Attorney of the Nebraska District Deb Gilg talks with the media at a news conference on the regional drug investigation Friday in North Platte. An Arizona man who was driving the truck was arrested. Everyone loves a parade, especially when you are robbing a bank. The coordination and cooperation in this investigation is a tremendous tribute to the selfless dedication we see time and time again with our law enforcement agencies. Jeff Bahr. This 50-year-old cold case has yet to be solved. The patrol says the search turned up nearly 2,300 pounds of marijuana concealed inside cardboard boxes marked as electronics and other items. So many individuals were arrested at least one bus had to be used to make the trip. Deborah R. Gilg, U.S. attorney for Nebraska, announced on Tuesday that 63 individuals have been indicted as part of a yearlong Department of Justice investigation into a methamphetamine conspiracy in central and western Nebraska and northeastern Colorado. Grand Island police officers surrounded the church., which is at 422 W. Second St. Glass, 47, of Fremont, Nebraska, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 9 months incarceration for Conspiracy to Commit Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law. The list of those arrested, including 4 on state level charges, were made public at a press conference in North Platte Friday morning. The operation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, also included investigators from the Cooperative Operation for Drug Enforcement Drug Task Force and the Western Nebraska Intelligence and Narcotics Group, as well as Colorado law enforcement authorities. Nebraska, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 9 months' incarceration for Conspiracy to . Washington, D.C. Man Convicted After Nine-Day Trial for Use of a Firearm in Connection with a Murder and a Robbery, and for a Drug Distribution Conspiracy. Dean Elliott said. One investigator referred to the operation as a monster involving law enforcement agencies from 22 Nebraska counties, Colorado law enforcement, and federal agencies. One of largest drug busts in Nebraska history announced. All arrests were made without incident. Feds indict 60 in Nebraska's biggest-ever drug sweep, U.S. attorney says Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. We will continue to investigate, arrest, and charge violent gang members who terrorize our community. Lincoln:(402) 437-5241. Penalties range from 5 to 40 years in prison and fines that can reach into the millions of dollars. Nearly 2,300 pounds of marijuana found in truck in Nebraska. Have a question about Government Services? U.S. Attorney of the Nebraska District Deb Gilg talks with the media at a news conference on the regional drug investigation Friday in North Platte. Colonel Bradley Rice, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, said he had never, never seen a roundup run so smoothly.. The defendants are alleged to have used the firearms not only to further their drug trafficking but also to commit robberies of individuals in Lincoln. The logistics of the operation were epic. The patrol says the search turned up nearly 2,300 pounds of marijuana concealed inside cardboard boxes marked as electronics and other items. That HIDTA award, from a case which began in 2012, ironically spun off into this drug conspiracy involving this operation..