Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on February 10, 2016, United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Juan Miguel Gallegos Loaiza, to 210 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Mr. Loaiza pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on March 19, 2015.  Loaiza had been involved in the distribution of methamphetamine in the Lincoln and eastern Nebraska area in at least 2012 and 2013.  He received large quantities of methamphetamine from Phoenix, Arizona, which he distributed to other dealers in the Lincoln and eastern Nebraska areas.  The Court found that Loaiza maintained an apartment for the purpose of distributing drugs at 32^nd and Starr streets in Lincoln.   

On October 22, 2013, the FBI and the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force stopped two vehicles, one loaded with methamphetamine from Phoenix, and one loaded with cash intended to be taken from Lincoln to Phoenix.  They uncovered about 4 pounds of methamphetamine and $10,000 in cash in these two vehicles.  The following day investigators served several search warrants and arrest warrants.  The searches uncovered about 9.6 pounds of methamphetamine and over $90,000 in cash.  They had an arrest warrant for Loaiza, however he eluded them and fled to Mexico.  On October 17, 2014, Loaiza was arrested in Arizona.

Loaiza is expected to be deported to his native Mexico after serving his prison sentence. 

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.