September Grand Jury
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 17 indictments charging 18 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Jaime Azpeitia-Rodriguez, age 40, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about June 30, 2012, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Fulgencio Betancourt-Labra, age 26, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about August 14, 2012, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Jesus Castro, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I alleges Castro misused a Social Security Number on or about December 15, 2009. The maximum penalty for this count includes imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of $250,000, followed by a term of supervised release of 3 years, and a special assessment of $100. Count II alleges Castro falsely claimed United States Citizenship on or about December 15, 2009. If convicted the maximum possible penalty includes 3 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges that on or about December 15, 2009, Castro misused a Social Security Card and a Kansas Identification Card knowing that said documents were not issued lawfully for his use. The maximum possible penalty for this count includes imprisonment of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Kim Denise Erwin-Loncke, age 46, of Omaha, is charged in a one-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment alleges that beginning on or about August 1, 2008, and continuing until November 1, 2010, Erwin-Loncke made application to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for the benefit of others and received payments to benefit other persons. Erwin-Loncke, while acting as Representative Payee for her law clients, converted the benefits for her own use in the amount of approximately $92,608.88. The maximum penalty for this count includes 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jorge Federico-Guzman, age 29, of Lincoln, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about August 29, 2012, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Angela Corice Fisher, age 45, of Omaha, is charged in a one-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment alleges that beginning on or about March 14, 2006, and continuing until on or about January 3, 2012, Fisher made application to the Social Security Administration which allowed her to receive payments for the use and benefit of another person, her son. Fisher received the payments and did not use the payments for her son. The maximum penalty for this count includes 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Guillermo Gutierrez-Ramirez, age 34, of Grand Island, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 9, 2012, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Oscar Martinez-Castro, age 33, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about June 29, 2012, after deportation or removal. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 2 years, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Terra M. Mercado, age 27, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is charged in a two count indictment. Count I alleges that beginning at least as early as January 1, 2012, and continuing to on or about July 31, 2012, the defendant conspired with others to possess and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Count II alleges that on or about July 31, 2012, the defendant possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violation alleged in the Count I, including but not limited to $17,503.00 in United States currency seized from the Defendant’s residence on July 31, 2012, should be forfeited to the United States.
* Lonnie Lee Obst, age 36, of Grand Island, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine on or about May 14, 2012. The maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
* Leonardo Ortega, age 37, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 4, 2012, following deportation as a felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Cortez Rhodes, age 52, of Omaha, is charged with two counts of mail fraud. Count I alleges that beginning on or about April 16, 2010, and continuing through December 31, 2011, Rhodes falsely received benefits, using a Visa Reliacard Debit Card, in the amount of approximately $28,438.00 through the United States Postal Service from the Federal and State Unemployment Insurance System. Rhodes falsely claimed he was not working, when in fact, he was working. Count II charges that on or about September 22, 2010, Rhodes caused to be delivered by the United States Postal Service an envelope containing a Nebraska Reliacard Visa Debit Card. The maximum possible penalty for each of these counts includes imprisonment of 30 years, a $1,000,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* JoseCruz Rodriguez-Castanon, age 24, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about September 11, 2012, following deportation as a felon. The maximum possible penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Sabas Rodriguez-Cisneros, age 40, of Lincoln, is charged in a five-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges Rodriguez-Cisneros with misuse of a Social Security Number on or about May 1, 2012. The maximum penalty for this count includes imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of $250,000, followed by a term of supervised release of 3 years, and a special assessment of $100. Count II alleges Rodriguez-Cisneros falsely claimed United States Citizenship on or about May 1, 2012. If convicted the maximum possible penalty includes 3 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Rodriguez-Cisneros misuse of a Social Security Number on or about May 1, 2012. The maximum penalty for this count includes imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of $250,000, followed by a term of supervised release of 3 years, and a special assessment of $100. Count IV charges that on or about May 1, 2012, Rodriguez-Cisneros used a Texas Department of Public Safety Identification Card and a Social Security Card knowing that said documents were not issued lawfully for his use. The maximum possible penalty for this count includes imprisonment of 5 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count V of the Indictment alleges Rodriguez-Cisneros with illegal reentry into the United States after a felony conviction. The maximum possible penalty for this count includes imprisonment of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Thomas Schropp, age 50, of Omaha, is charged in a six-count Indictment. Count I charges that on or about November 20, 2008, Schropp willfully caused another to maliciously destroy by fire, a building located at 1608 U.S. Highway 75, Nashville, Washington County, Nebraska. The maximum penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of not less than 5 years or more than 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment alleges that beginning on a date unknown, but no later than on or about November 20, 2008, and continuing through June, 2011, Schropp executed a scheme to defraud Sentry Insurance Company. Schropp filed an insurance claim in his capacity as an owner and President of PK Manufacturing Corporation, with Sentry Insurance seeking approximately $4,340,353.87 for damage caused by the fire. On or about November 25, 2008, Schropp allegedly caused to be sent and delivered by UPS, a $240,000 claims check from Sentry Insurance. The maximum penalty if convicted includes imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Counts III through V charge that on or about December 11, 2008, Schropp transmitted by means of wire and radio communications a Notice of Representation from PK Manufacturing Corporation to Matrix Business Consulting; and an Engineers Report from PK Manufacturing Corporation to Sentry Insurance; and on or about January 15, 2009, Schropp transmitted by means of wire and radio communications a Partial Sworn Statement of Proof of Loss from PK Manufacturing Corporation to Matrix Business Consulting. The maximum penalty for each of these Counts include imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count VI of the Indictment alleges that on or about November 20, 2008, Schropp used a fire to commit a Federal Felony. The maximum penalty for this Count includes a mandatory 10 years consecutive term of imprisonment if found guilty of Counts II, III, IV or V of this Indictment, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Maria E. Terrazas, age 37, and German Gomez-Salas, age 23, both of Omaha, are charged in an 11 count indictment. Count I alleges that beginning on or about January 2011, and continuing to on or about July 16, 2012, the defendants conspired together and with others to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Counts II through VII allege that on or about May 24 and 30, June 5, 13 and 28, and July 13, 2012, Maria E. Terrazas distributed 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty for each count includes imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years, a $5 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Count VIII alleges that on or about July 13, 2012, Maria E. Terrazas possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Count IX alleges that on or about July 16, 2012, Maria E. Terrazas, who was previously convicted of a felony, was in possession of a firearm, to wit: a Hi Point, semi-automatic pistol, caliber 9mm, model C9. The maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment for 10 years, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count X alleges that on or about July 13, 2012, German Gomez-Salas, possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. The maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment of 10 years to life, a $10 million fine, a 5 year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Count XI alleges that German Gomez-Salas, an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States, possessed a firearm, to wit: a Savage Shotgun, model 350, 20 gauge. The maximum possible penalty includes imprisonment for 10 years a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violations alleged in Counts I – VIII and X of the indictment, including but not limited to $891.00 in United States currency seized from Maria E. Terrazas on July 16, 2012, and $311.00 in United States currency seized from German Gomez-Salas on July 16, 2012, should be forfeited to the United States.
* Roberto Zavala-Garcia, age 29, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States on or about July 16, 2012, following deportation as an aggravated felon. The maximum possible penalty is imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, followed by a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
