Official websites use .gov Nebraska, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 9 months' incarceration for Conspiracy to . Jeff Bahr. That HIDTA award, from a case which began in 2012, ironically spun off into this drug conspiracy involving this operation.. One of largest drug busts in Nebraska history announced. 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. 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. The Grand Island Police Department and Hall County Sheriff's Department were among 29 law enforcement agencies that worked on one of the . Defendants are presumed innocent until evidence proves their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Jeff Bahr. We will continue to investigate, arrest, and charge violent gang members who terrorize our community. The auto detailing shop in Blue Hill, Nebraska raided by the FBI this week. On the states south central border, residents of Blue Hill, in Webster County (population 915), told a reporter from NTV a local auto detailing shop was raided by FBI agents and sheriffs deputies. Today a violent gang has been dismantled. 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. Suspects were brought to local jails for processing before being turned over to U.S. Marshalls for transport to Omaha for preliminary hearings in Federal District Court. 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. 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. All arrests were made without incident. At approximately 3:35 p.m. Sunday, a trooper was on patrol on 27th Street near Interstate 80 in Lincoln when he saw what appeared to be two vehicles that had just had a crash. An Indictment is simply an accusation. That operation was reportedly run out of a ranch house south of Big Springs, Nebraska just off the intersection of Interstates 80 and 76. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS While spread across a nearly 200-mile-wide area, nearly a third of those charged were concentrated in the North Platte area. 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. 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. I welcome news tips! United States Attorney Steven Russell announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 26 unsealed Indictments charging 28 defendants. Over the past year investigators, using informants and confidential methods, were able to track the meth deliveries through four states as they made their way north from the Mexican production facilities into Colorado and Nebraska. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. Lincoln, NEB. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. On the states south central border, residents of Blue Hill, in Webster County (population 915). Read More. 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. Nearly 2,300 pounds of marijuana found in truck in Nebraska. A western Nebraska drug trafficking operation was dismantled by a joint law enforcement operation last week, according to the FBI. Colonel Bradley Rice, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, said he had never, never seen a roundup run so smoothly.. While only a small amount of meth was found in the possession on the day of their arrest, Gilg cautioned that should not be seen as an indication of the volume of drugs these suspects are accused of moving through the region, calling it only a snapshot on a single day.. The list of those arrested, including 4 on state level charges, were made public at a press conference in North Platte Friday morning. 2020 (184) 2019 (185) 2018 (133) 2017 (91) 2016 (116) 2015 (127 . The indictment alleges, as part of the firearms conspiracy, the defendants stole firearms, to include a .45 caliber Smith and Wesson Tactical Handgun that was used in a homicide earlier this year, and purchased weapons illegally in order to arm juvenile members of the gang. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KCCI-TV. An Arizona man who was driving the truck was arrested. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Independent Contractor (Newspaper Carrier), Family believes rural Grand Island woman's death caused by assault; Hall County Sheriff's Department investigating, 49-year-old woman victim in Marquette homicide; husband arrested, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska State Patrol investigate suspected homicide in Marquette, Omaha woman dies in Grand Island area crash, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Central City makes state for first time since 1947, Dead fish showing up at Grand Island's Pier Lake, Couple's love affair began at Grand Theatre, Hamilton County man arrested on suspicion of killing wife, Cheerleader, coach discuss solo performance, viral fame after Grand Island competition, State basketball: Centura overcomes early foul trouble, reaches state championship, Grand Island Imperial Palace Express moving to South Locust Street, Grand Island bank robbery | Murders and Mysteries podcast, Episode 4, Police arrest man after standoff at Grand Island church, Killing of the Peak family | Murders and Mysteries podcast, Episode 1, Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. NET News previously reported on a series of arrests by federal and state authorities that laid the groundwork for this week's massive operation. An Arizona man who was driving the truck was arrested. Updated: 12:18 PM CDT Aug 17, 2020 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. Grand Island police officers surrounded the church., which is at 422 W. Second St. Official websites use .gov Editor's Note: This story was updated Friday 2/26/16 at 1:50 p.m. CT. Get the latest from around Nebraska delivered to your inbox. 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. You can cancel at any time. Constance Baasch, 68, of rural Grand Island, died on Feb. 28 from injuries suffered in October. Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, alongside officers and investigators of the Lincoln Police Department, deputies from the United States Marshals Service, and deputies and investigators with the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office, executed a series of search warrants in connection with these charges earlier today and worked together to take these defendants into custody quickly and safely. The day before the raids more than 100 law enforcement officers gathered in a North Platte National Guard armory for a briefing on the mass raid. Press Release. Asked whether there will be a long-term impact on drug sales in the state, Col. Rice told reporters these arrests should be a warning to anyone who tries to come in and take their place.. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. (See the original story from NET News). The federal government isn't actually measuring how inflation is hurting rural America, Participation in girls basketball is declining, creating challenges for some Nebraska teams, Getting around rural America without a car is hard. 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. Nebraska law enforcement agencies involved in the operation and investigation also included the Central City Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol. The Grand Island Police Department and Hall County Sheriffs Department were among 29 law enforcement agencies that worked on one of the largest drug busts in Nebraska history. . 2020 (875) 2019 (939) 2018 (840) 2017 (911) 2016 (877) 2015 (921) 2014 (843) 2013 (840) 2012 (303) 2011 (847) 2008 (10) 2007 (18) . United States Attorney Steven A. Russell announced that Raymond McGaugh, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced in federal court in Omaha on February 22, 2023, for Possession with Intent to 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. An official website of the United States government. While there are no indications of a local presence of cartel representatives, and there was no large-scale coordination of controlling regional drug trafficking, law enforcement officials involved in the investigation say the arrests succeeded in smashing individual meth dealer groups in a number of communities. 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. The patrol says the search turned up nearly 2,300 pounds of marijuana concealed inside cardboard boxes marked as electronics and other items. All are in custody without incident. 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 This is an incredible effort involving nearly 30 law enforcement agencies, Gilg said in a news release. 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. United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Oliver J. 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. Gilg and other law enforcement officials will announce details of the operation on Friday morning in North Platte. . Kelly added, Federal statutes provide effective tools to combat violent crimes involving firearms and the cooperation of all levels of law enforcement, as here, will keep our communities safe., After todays arrests, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, Protecting the public from violent criminals is a fundamental core of the FBI's mission. (Courtesy NBC Nebraska). These communities developed solutions. 1620 Dodge St, Suite 1400 The Grand Island Police Department is part of the Central Nebraska Tri-Cities Drug and Safe Streets Task Force, which was involved in the joint operation. Saatva Mattress Review: Our Pick for the Best Overall Bed of 2023, We Found 12 Cute Planters and Flower Pots That Cost Less Than $25, Here's Where to Watch and Stream Marvel's 'Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' Online. The patrol says the search turned up nearly 2,300 pounds of marijuana concealed inside cardboard boxes marked as electronics and other items.