Col. Bradley Rice, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, said these arrests should be "a warning" to those dealing in drugs. . Have a question about Government Services? While spread across a nearly 200-mile-wide area, nearly a third of those charged were concentrated in the North Platte area. Our Safe Streets Task Force is committed tocreating a higher quality of life for all residents in Lincoln by eliminating the threat of gang violence., Lincoln Chief of Police Jeffrey Bliemeister stated, The collaborative efforts of federal and local law enforcement agencies combined with the support of the citizens of Lincoln are critical to impacting violent crime. 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. 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. Lock Two years ago, we were gathered in North Platte to honor many of these same law enforcement officers who were being recognized with an award from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Gilg added. The list of those arrested, including 4 on state level charges, were made public at a press conference in North Platte Friday morning. An Indictment is simply an accusation. Have a question about Government Services? (Courtesy NBC Nebraska). United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Socorro Alejandres Alvarez, 32, of Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. 22, 2023, for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking. The Omaha office of the FBI coordinated the sweep. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Constance Baasch, 68, of rural Grand Island, died on Feb. 28 from injuries suffered in October. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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 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 A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Marshals Service and Webster County Sheriffs Department. Lets think of it as an octopus, Gilg said. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian. An official website of the United States government. Feds indict 60 in Nebraska's biggest-ever drug sweep, U.S. attorney says 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The patrol says the search turned up nearly 2,300 pounds of marijuana concealed inside cardboard boxes marked as electronics and other items. One of largest drug busts in Nebraska history announced. News FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Attorney Steven Russell announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 26 unsealed Indictments charging 28 defendants. 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. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KCCI-TV. Connecting Nebraska through PBS, NPR and original content for nearly 70 years. Omaha NE 68102, Omaha:(402) 661-3700 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. A year-long investigation . United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced federal criminal charges against 12 members of the No Name Demons Gang in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Panhandle's WING drug task force was among those honored Tuesday in North Platte for its role in a drug bust dubbed the "largest drug bust in Nebraska history." The task force was recognized . 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. saved Bragg's life in the October 2020 crash on Nebraska . We appreciate the focused work by so many talented and driven staff leading to the arrests.. 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. As part of the operation, the Grand Island Police Departments tactical response team helped serve a warrant at a Grand Island residence on Tuesday morning, police Capt. You have to understand we are talking about pounds and pounds and pounds of meth that these people were moving, said the law enforcement officer, speaking anonymously because they did not have authorization to speak publicly. Nebraska, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 9 months' incarceration for Conspiracy to . Penalties range from 5 to 40 years in prison and fines that can reach into the millions of dollars. {{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. Lincoln, NEB. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. North Platte Police Chief Mike Swain told reporters his department began to see a growing problem with drug trafficking in the community several years ago and reached out to other agencies for assistance. The patrol says the search turned up nearly 2,300 pounds of marijuana concealed inside cardboard boxes marked as electronics and other items. A western Nebraska drug trafficking operation was dismantled by a joint law enforcement operation last week, according to the FBI. We cut off some tentacles.. 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. All arrests were made without incident. 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.. This is an incredible effort involving nearly 30 law enforcement agencies, Gilg said in a news release. 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. Putting these suspects in jail, he said, certainly impacted the safety of the citizens of North Platte for the better. We will continue to investigate, arrest, and charge violent gang members who terrorize our community. District of Nebraska | Twelve Lincoln Gang Members Indicted in Violent 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. Some of the charged defendants, if convicted, face up to life in federal prison. A lock ( Jeff Bahr. 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. 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. 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. The charges announced today are a direct result of the hard work, successful cooperation, and seamless coordination amongst all of these state and federal law enforcement partners. That HIDTA award, from a case which began in 2012, ironically spun off into this drug conspiracy involving this operation.. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Lincoln:(402) 437-5241. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Dean Elliott said. So many individuals were arrested at least one bus had to be used to make the trip. Someone found the victim Sunday, the sheriff's office andHamilton County Attorney's Office said. There was a problem saving your notification. Seven from Panhandle indicted in 'one of the largest drug busts in 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 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. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Please subscribe to keep reading. That operation was reportedly run out of a ranch house south of Big Springs, Nebraska just off the intersection of Interstates 80 and 76. 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. 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. All arrests were made without incident. 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. "Monster" drug bust in Nebraska fills busses with meth dealer suspects The indictment was unsealed today and appearances by the defendants are scheduled to begin Monday, November 23, 2020, before United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart in Lincoln. Omaha NE 68102, Omaha:(402) 661-3700 At least one of the 63 people indicted is a Grand Island resident, Elliott said. One of largest drug busts in Nebraska history announced I am the Cops & Courts Reporter for the Grand Island Independent. a local auto detailing shop was raided by FBI agents and sheriffs deputies. Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a Lincoln man after a hit and run crash led to a pursuit in north Lincoln. 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. Engaging more than 1 million Nebraskans each month through television, radio, online and mobile platforms.Your support is essential! As of Friday afternoon, seven people were still at large. Suspects have addresses in North Platte, Scottsbluff, Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Lexington and Gibbon. These communities developed solutions. 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 Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking.