Manuel Enrique Corona-Ramirez, 52, of Lexington, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 23 in federal court in Lincoln for one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Corona-Ramirez to a total of 125 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Corona-Ramirez will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
Corona-Ramirez was arrested in Hall County in 2023 with Joette Romero after an individual reported a terroristic threat at their residence. According to the announcement by United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods, “Corona-Ramirez and Romero arrived at the residence with a gun and demanded money from the individual over a drug debt.” This arrest led to further investigation which revealed that Corona-Ramirez was working with others to distribute methamphetamine around central Nebraska. Over the course of his drug dealing activity, he was responsible for distributing more than three kilograms of methamphetamine and possessed a firearm while threatening others during these activities.
Joette Romero was indicted separately for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced on September 22, 2025, to 87 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the CODE Task Force, which includes law enforcement agencies across a 22-county area in west-central and southwest Nebraska as well as federal partners such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations; it also involved state and local agencies including the Nebraska State Patrol, North Platte Police Department, Lexington Police Department, and Army National Guard Counter Drug Unit.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska prosecutes federal crimes throughout the state and collaborates with various law enforcement agencies to enhance public safety as part of its mission within the U.S. Department of Justice; it operates out of facilities in Omaha and Lincoln, according to the official website.