Omaha Man Sentenced to 37 Months for Marijuana Trafficking Conspiracy

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Ryan D. Terry, 40, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana.  Terry received a sentence of 37 months’ imprisonment with a three-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.  Terry was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. 

A cooperating individual (“CI”) met with Terry and co-defendant Jeffrey Dailey (“Dailey”) for the purpose of buying 5 pounds of marijuana. Terry brought a tub containing pound quantities of marijuana in vacuum-sealed packages.  Terry showed the CI two types, stating he had 20 pounds of one and 35 of the other.  Terry and Dailey indicated they could obtain anything the CI wanted, and that the product was being transported directly from California. The CI agreed to buy all 20 pounds of one variety, take 5 pounds of the other variety, and obtain the remainder if the CI’s customer liked the 5 pounds.  Terry and Dailey agreed to transport the marijuana to another location once they retrieved some additional bundles of the product from Terry’s home.

Agents observed Terry and Dailey retrieve large black duffel bags from Terry’s home and then place them into Dailey’s vehicle before driving away.  A marked police cruiser began following Dailey’s car from several blocks away.  As the cruiser tried to catch up with Dailey’s vehicle, Dailey pulled over and Terry began walking away on foot.  Terry was apprehended nearby, and an officer conducted a traffic stop of Dailey’s vehicle.  In the trunk police found approximately 49 pounds of marijuana.

A post-arrest, Mirandized statement by Terry indicated he had been selling marijuana in various quantities over the past 6 or more years, making between $100 per pound to $200 per pound, that he would receive anywhere from 10 pounds to up to 30 pounds per month, but that it varied based on the market conditions.  According to Terry, the most he had ever received in a given month was 70 to 90 pounds. 

A search of Terry’s Omaha home found several pounds of THC wax, “shatter” and edibles, electronic scales, packaging materials, and $116,500 in United States Currency, later confirmed as narcotics sales proceeds. 

A financial investigation into Terry’s activities found that TNT Associates, LLC, the real properties located at 7610 Hartman Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska and 8608 Templeton Drive, Omaha, Nebraska were derived from proceeds of narcotics sales or otherwise used to facilitate the commission of narcotics sales.  Each property was forfeited to the United States as part of the plea agreement in the case. Terry was allowed to retain his family home after paying to the United States $41,440, the amount of equity from drug proceeds. 

Terry’s co-defendant, Jeffrey Dailey, has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing which is scheduled for September 21, 2023. 

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