Lexington Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Role in Methamphetamine Conspiracy

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jonathan Beale, 23, of Lexington, Nebraska, was sentenced November 20, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The Honorable John M. Gerrard, Senior United States District Judge, sentenced Beale to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Beale’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

Operating from at least June 2021 until October 2022, Beale and others were responsible for trafficking in meth brought into the state. Officers from a variety of local, state, and federal agencies pieced the conspiracy together using eyewitness information, electronic evidence, surveillance, and search warrants.

On February 23, 2022, officers obtained a search warrant for Beale’s residence in Lexington. Located in the search was another co-defendant, who appeared to be living in Beale’s basement. In addition, the search located nearly eleven ounces of meth, items consistent with narcotic packaging, and over two thousand dollars. Searches at additional locations in the Lexington area netted additional meth and currency from other co-defendants. 

This case was investigated by the CODE Drug Task Force, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol,   the Federal Bureau of Investigation.