Skip to main content
Press Release

Omaha Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine and Cocaine Conspiracy

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Nebraska

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Miguel Avalos-Diaz, 26, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced November 30, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for four drug trafficking charges, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Avalos-Diaz to 260 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Avalos-Diaz’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

In August, a jury convicted Avalos-Diaz of conspiracy to distribute meth and cocaine and found him not guilty of a gun charge. The day before trial, Avalos-Diaz pleaded guilty to three charges, including two counts of distribution of a controlled substance and one charge of possession with intent to distribute meth.

Omaha police received information from a cooperator that Avalos-Diaz was distributing meth and cocaine. Police used the cooperator to make three “controlled buys” from Avalos-Diaz in February and March of 2022. All three times, the cooperator bought meth from Avalos-Diaz. During the third drug deal, Avalos-Diaz also “fronted,” i.e. provided on credit, one ounce of cocaine.

After the third drug deal, police searched a residence in south Omaha near Bellevue on March 30, 2022. Inside, officers encountered and arrested Avalos-Diaz and co-defendant Jose Salvador Perez. Police seized approximately 2.5 pounds of meth, more than $36,000 in cash, and a loaded .45-caliber handgun. Officers also found evidence of cocaine distribution in the residence, including six digital scales, cutting agents, a vacuum sealer, and small amounts of cocaine packaged in baggies. Review of both defendants’ Facebook messages dating back to December 2021 revealed a conspiracy to distribute meth and cocaine throughout the time period of the messages.

Avalos-Diaz’s advisory sentence under the United States Sentencing Commission guidelines was increased because he maintained a premise for the purpose of manufacturing or distributing a controlled substance and possessed a weapon in connection with a drug offense.

A total of $36,598 in cash has been forfeited to the United States as proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.

Perez, 27, of Omaha is scheduled to be sentenced on January 24, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Contact

Lecia Wright - Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney (402) 661-3700

Updated December 4, 2023