Omaha Man Sentenced for Possession of Methamphetamine as Repeat Offender

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Zachary McElderry, age 35, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced November 14, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced McElderry to 250 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After McElderry’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.

On February 7, 2024, a confidential informant ordered three pounds of meth from McElderry. McElderry told the informant to meet at a QuikTrip in Omaha. At QuikTrip, DEA agents drove toward McElderry’s vehicle to arrest him. McElderry avoided the DEA vehicles and escaped. He drove recklessly for more than three miles, driving the wrong way on a street and passing vehicles faster than the speed of traffic. McElderry parked his vehicle, which had a blown tire, near some apartment buildings. He was eventually arrested in a residential neighborhood. During McElderry’s drive, a backpack with eight pounds of meth was thrown from the vehicle. Another two pounds of meth was found in the vehicle.

McElderry faced an enhanced mandatory minimum because of a prior conviction for possession with intent to distribute meth in Douglas County District Court. The advisory guideline sentencing range was also enhanced because of reckless endangerment during flight from law enforcement.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.