Nebraska Resident Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Council Bluffs, IA - On August 18, 2016, Tyler Jon Cross, a 25 year old resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced by United States Senior District Court Judge Robert Pratt, to 120 months in prison for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Judge Pratt also ordered Johnson to serve a term of 5 years of supervised release upon release from prison, and to pay a $100 special assessment.

The conviction resulted from an investigation conducted by the Iowa State Patrol which began on June 20, 2015 when Iowa State Patrol Troopers attempted to stop two motorcycles that were not displaying registration. A pursuit occurred along Interstate 80, with Cross operating his motorcycle in excess of 100 mph and driving into oncoming traffic. The pursuit ended after Cross left the interstate and traveled along two-lane roads in rural Pottawattamie and Shelby Counties, with Cross eventually losing control of his motorcycle leading to his arrest. In a backpack carried by Cross was discovered over one-half pound of methamphetamine and a loaded nine-millimeter handgun.

The case was investigated by the Iowa State Patrol, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Narcotic Enforcement, and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.