Man Sentenced for Meth and Firearm Possession

United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Oscar Garfio-Zapien, 29, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to more than 12 years in prison for possession of methamphetamine, with intent to distribute and another 5 years for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  Garfio-Zapien will be required to serve 5 years of supervision upon his release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

On or about November 5, 2020, Garfio-Zapien was stopped in Hamilton County by a Nebraska State Patrolman for speeding along Interstate 80.  Garfio-Zapien consented to a search of his rental vehicle.  During the search, the trooper found a suitcase in the rear cargo area of the rental containing 13 packages of methamphetamine.  In the center console, the trooper found a loaded Springfield XD 9 mm handgun.  In a backpack located on the front passenger seat within reach of defendant, the trooper found eight packages of methamphetamine weighing approximately 1.5 pounds in total, a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver, and 33 rounds of .380 ammunition.  The total weight of all the methamphetamine in the car was about 14.5 pounds.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force.