Man Sentenced for Firearm and Drug Trafficking Crimes

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Steven Israel Mendoza, 33, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Mendoza to 120 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge and a consecutive 60 months of imprisonment on the firearm charge, for a total sentence of 180 months.  There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On October 15, 2019, a confidential source arranged to purchase a half pound of methamphetamine and a shotgun from Mendoza.  The confidential source drove to Mendoza’s Blondo Street residence and met Mendoza at the back door before entering the residence.  The confidential source purchased methamphetamine for $2,500 and a 12-gauge shotgun for $500.  A forensic lab determined the methamphetamine to be 95% pure.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Omaha Police Department.