United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on Dec. 2, 2014, Senior United States District Judge Richard G. Kopf sentenced Pablo Rodriguez, 39, of Omaha, to five years (60 months) in prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and five years (60 months) for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. The sentence for the gun charge must be served consecutive to (after) the sentence for the drug charge. Following the prison terms, Rodriguez will serve five years on supervised release. Rodriguez was also ordered to forfeit $4,782 in cash to the United States of America.
On the evening of May 2, 2014, officers of the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force were conducting surveillance on a Lincoln residence. They saw Rodriguez arrive and carry items to and from the residence. Officers followed Rodriguez away from the residence. He was stopped for a traffic violation. He told officers he had 1/8 ounce of methamphetamine in his wallet and provided a baggie containing methamphetamine to the officers. He told officers there was an AR-15 assault rifle in his vehicle but said it did not belong to him. Officers searched the vehicle and found a loaded AR-15, additional methamphetamine, and $4,782 in cash. Rodriguez said he had just dropped off eight ounces of methamphetamine at the residence where he was first seen by the officers. A search warrant was executed at that residence on the early morning of May 3, 2014, and officers found additional methamphetamine. A total of approximately 250 grams of methamphetamine was found during the searches of Rodriguez’s person, vehicle, and the Lincoln residence.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
