Lincoln Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Anthony Jermaine Branch, 42, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 16, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Branch to 132 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Branch’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On three occasions in October of 2022, a confidential informant working with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force bought meth from another person who was seen by investigators going into Branch’s apartment before making the deliveries.  On a fourth occasion, the seller was seen meeting with Branch in a vehicle before making the delivery.  A total of 142.38 grams of meth was obtained over the course of these four buys.  Purity testing at the Nebraska State Patrol lab showed a total of at least 64 grams of actual methamphetamine.

On October 28, 2022, a search warrant was executed at Branch’s Lincoln apartment.  Before the warrant was executed, Branch was seen leaving his apartment as the passenger in a vehicle.  He was contacted at a convenience store and was found in possession of approximately 15 grams of meth and $480 in cash, $20 of which was later found to be Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force buy money.  During the search of Branch’s apartment, investigators found an additional 131 grams of meth.  Purity analysis showed at least 120 grams of actual meth.  Investigators also found $3850 in cash, $760 of which was later found to be Task Force buy money.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.