Grand Island Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking Sentenced to 5 Years

Noe Loera, 35, from Grand Island, Nebraska, was convicted of distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine following a jury trial which concluded on August 1, 2013.  Today, the Honorable Joseph Bataillon sentenced Loera to 5 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release, and was ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment.

The evidence presented at trial showed that a police informant contacted Noe Loera on September 22, 2010, to purchase about a half ounce of methamphetamine.  The police then conducted surveillance while the informant met with Noe Loera and Jesus Samaniego at Noe Loera’s home in Grand Island.  A transcription and translation of an audio recording of the meeting, prepared by an FBI linguist, provided key evidence of several incriminating statements made by Noe Loera.  Jesus Samaniego pled guilty earlier to a related charge. 

The case was investigated by Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force.  That task force is comprised of the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, Hall County Sheriff’s Department, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, Hastings Police Department, Grand Island Police Department, Kearney Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.