Man Sentenced in Firearms Conspiracy Case

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kenneth D. Blair, 21, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced December 21, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for his participation in a firearms conspiracy in the furtherance of drug trafficking. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Blair to 21 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Blair’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

Rodolfo Falcon owned a house that was the central location for the distribution of marijuana, marijuana derivatives, and cocaine. Falcon rented that house out to several younger drug dealers including Kenneth Blair, Alexis Bernal-Lopez, and Keland Strong.  Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force performed a search of the residence and recovered cocaine, marijuana, currency, drug paraphernalia, and several firearms. Falcon, who has a distinctive tattoo on his hand, was seen in photos posing with firearms. One of the firearms shown in the picture was recovered from the residence. Agents also located a stolen firearm and AR15 rifle. 

At the time of the search, Kenneth Blair was in the basement of the residence along with two apparent narcotics customers. Drugs and cash were also recovered from that location. Keland Strong used an upstairs room that contained numerous firearms. Falcon lived on the main level of the home where agents recovered cash, cocaine. and personal identification documents. Evidence of significant marijuana distribution such as wrappers for large quantities of marijuana were also recovered. This, along with the text messages between the group members revealed that the home was being used as a main distribution hub and that Bethow, Bernal-Lopez, Strong, and Blair all worked together to sell drugs, particularly marijuana to ‘serves’ (their code word for narcotics purchasers) and would drive each other to sales and work together to get the right types of THC cartridges and marijuana to customers.

On September 28, 2023, Majok Bethow: plead guilty to firearms conspiracy in the furtherance of drug trafficking; sentencing is January 11, 2024.

On October 27, 2023, Rodolfo Falcon plead guilty to firearms conspiracy and possession of a firearm in the furtherance of drug trafficking; sentencing is January 19, 2024.

On November 17, 2023, Keland Strong plead guilty to firearms conspiracy and possession of a firearm in the furtherance of drug trafficking; sentencing is February 8, 2024.

On November 20, 2023, Alexis Bernal Lopez plead guilty firearms conspiracy and possession of a firearm in the furtherance of drug trafficking; sentencing is February 16, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.