Arizona Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

Acting United States Attorney Matthew Molsen announced that Carlos Loya-Rodriguez, 33, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced February 19, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Loya-Rodriguez to 70 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Loya-Rodriguez is released from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.  Loya-Rodriguez will also forfeit to the United States $61,195.00 in United States currency that was drug proceeds or used to facilitate his drug trafficking.

On January 2, 2024, law enforcement utilized an undercover agent to purchase 445.3 grams of actual methamphetamine from Loya-Rodriguez in Omaha.

On February 5, 2024, law enforcement officers saw Loya-Rodriguez leave his residence and enter into his vehicle. They watched Loya-Rodriguez commit traffic infractions and initiated a traffic stop. During the traffic stop, a K9 conducted a sniff of the vehicle and indicated to the presence of narcotics. Law enforcement searched the vehicle and located 419.9 grams of actual methamphetamine. Loya-Rodriguez was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. Also located in the vehicle was $20,225 in United States currency.

Also on February 5, 2024, law enforcement searched Loya-Rodriguez’s residence in Omaha, pursuant to a search warrant. Law enforcement seized 450 grams of actual methamphetamine, 344 grams of cocaine in multiple baggies, a scale with suspected drug residue, $40,970 in United States currency, and money wire receipts.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Omaha Police Department. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.