Lincoln Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Patrick S. Carey, 38, of Lincoln, Nebraska was sentenced on May 14, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual meth and 50 grams or more of meth mixture. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Carey to 188 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Carey’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On the evening of March 16, 2023, investigators were conducting surveillance on Carey’s Lincoln residence.  They saw Carey and another man leave Carey’s residence in a vehicle.  The vehicle had a broken taillight, so officers attempted to make a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled.  Instead of chasing the vehicle, investigators returned to Carey’s residence and waited for Carey and the other man to return.  When Carey and the other man returned to the area, investigators approached them.  Both men got out of the vehicle and took off running despite orders to stop.  Carey was arrested after he tripped, fell, turned his ankle, and injured a finger.  The other man was also arrested.  Carey told officers he had a gun on his person.  A bag containing meth, a handgun and ammunition were found in his pockets.  Carey admitted he fled the traffic stop because he had the gun with him. 

A search warrant was executed on Carey’s apartment in the early morning hours of March 17, 2023.  During that search, investigators found seven additional baggies containing meth.  The total weight of the bag found on Carey’s person and the bags found in his apartment was 192.89 grams, and purity testing showed at least 160 grams of actual meth.

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