Mexican National Sentenced to 11 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Juan Martinez Arroyo, age 22, of Mexico, was sentenced on October 23, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Martinez Arroyo to a total of 132 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Martinez Arroyo’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On August 17, 2023, a trooper stopped a vehicle traveling east bound on Interstate 80 in Hamilton County, Nebraska, for following too closely.  The driver was identified as Martinez Arroyo and the passenger was identified as co-defendant, Edwin Correa Miranda.  Each defendant gave conflicting stories on their travels and a drug dog was requested at the scene.  The dog made a positive alert to the presence of narcotics.

A search of the vehicle was conducted and inside of the trunk, troopers found a duffle bag containing 11 packages that later tested positive for meth.  The State Patrol Crime Lab confirmed the meth weighed a total of 24,777 grams.  A loaded Ruger handgun and a magazine containing five rounds were also found under the passenger seat.

Co-defendant Edwin Correa Miranda is set for sentencing on November 7, 2024, before United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.