Man Sentenced to 210 Months in Methamphetamine and Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Fermin Heredia-Lopez, 29, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Heredia to 210 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.  Heredia is from Sinaloa, Mexico and will be deported at the completion of his prison term.

In 2019, Heredia was identified by investigators as a cell head for a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization responsible for the distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine in the Omaha metropolitan area. Investigators obtained authorization to wiretap defendant’s cell phone, which began on December 27, 2019. During the wiretap, investigators intercepted incriminating communications between Heredia and his Mexico-based source of supply and determined that Heredia was in possession of a significant quantity of methamphetamine.

Investigators obtained search warrants for two residences in Omaha associated with the defendant and executed the warrants on January 11, 2020. Heredia was arrested at that time. Investigators seized over 32 lbs. of methamphetamine, 455 grams of cocaine, and $10,300 in drug proceeds. Additionally, they collected several kilogram quantity wrappings for cocaine, and wrappings for multiple additional pounds of methamphetamine.

“Today’s sentencing clearly highlights the significant damage that Fermin Heredia-Lopez inflicted in our communities,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Justin C. King said. “The amount of methamphetamine and cocaine that he was distributing is alarming and we know that because of his actions, several families are now suffering.  Our investigators successfully tied Heredia to a cartel operating in Mexico and in doing so, made a small dent in the drug trafficking organization. Heredia will spend the next 17-and-a-half years in prison and will no longer be able to cause pain and suffering on the more vulnerable members of our communities.”

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

The case was primarily investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Omaha Field Division.