Lincoln Woman Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Role in Meth Distribution Conspiracy

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Angelica Agena, 41, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 6, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Agena to 54 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, Agena will be required to complete a 5-year term of supervised release. A federal jury convicted Agena of these charges on November 11, 2023.

On June 29, 2022, Lancaster County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a red Camaro for having an inoperable taillight. Neither the driver, Gary Payton, nor the passenger, Agena, had a valid driver’s license. A deputy observed an open alcoholic beverage container behind the passenger seat. Deputies thereafter searched the Camaro and its contents.

During the search, one of the deputies opened Agena’s purse which was left on the floor on the front passenger side when she was asked out of the car. The deputy found a large gallon-sized bag containing suspected methamphetamine inside the purse. Deputies performed a field test on the substance in the bag and presumptively confirmed that the substance was methamphetamine. The deputies also seized Payton’s and Agena’s phones as evidence.  Information from the phones revealed Agena and Payton’s involvement in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in the Lincoln and Omaha areas.

The suspected methamphetamine from the vehicle was sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory for confirmatory testing. The lab confirmed the that the bag found in Agena’s purse contained approximately 7 ounces of methamphetamine, a quantity intended for distribution.

In a separate Indictment, Gary Payton pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to imprisonment for 72 months on June 6, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, the Lincoln Police Department, and the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.