Lincoln Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Marijuana

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on April 15, 2013, Luis Orta Espinoza, age 27 of Lincoln, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months (151 months) in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana between June 2008 and April 2012. Following the prison term, Orta Espinoza will serve five years on supervised release.

Orta Espinoza was held responsible for the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine mixture (approximately three pounds); at least 50 grams of actual methamphetamine (approximately 1 ¾ ounces); at least two kilograms of cocaine (approximately 4 ½ pounds); and at least 80 kilograms of marijuana (approximately 176 pounds). Between December 2011 and April 2012, an undercover officer made a number of purchases of methamphetamine from a person who was working for Orta Espinoza in the distribution of methamphetamine. In May 2011, a confidential informant purchased a small amount of cocaine from Orta Espinoza, and in February 2012, a confidential informant purchased approximately three grams of mostly pure methamphetamine from Orta Espinoza. Other information provided to law enforcement indicated that Orta Espinoza was also involved in the distribution of marijuana.

The matter was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, which includes officers of the Lincoln Police Department, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department.