Lincoln Man Sentenced in Drug and Money Laundering Conspiracies

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that John Ways, Jr., age 48, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Senior United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Bataillon.  In August of 2014 Ways was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to sell drug paraphernalia, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and of being a felon in possession of ammunition.  He ran Exotica stores in Omaha and South Sioux City, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, through which he sold the controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.   He will also forfeit to the United States approximately $1,100,000 in cash as drug proceeds seized from  multiple bank accounts, two vehicles he purchased with drug proceeds, various computers and equipment, ammunition, and four gun safes.  He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his release from incarceration.

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg commented: “It does not matter whether drug dealers sell illegal drugs on the street, through the internet or, like this defendant, under the guise of a legitimate business.  It is still drug dealing.  With the help of our law enforcement partners such as the ATF, we will investigate and prosecute drug dealers no matter how they ply their trade.  We will also seize and forfeit their illegitimate gains.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Omaha Police Department, Lincoln Police Department, and Nebraska State Patrol.