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Press Release

Grand Island Man Sentenced for Distribution of Methamphetamine

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Nebraska

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Elias Mendoza, 25, of Grand Island, was sentenced on February 5, 2021, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for three counts of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Mendoza to 140 months in federal prison for each of the three counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and 120 months for being a felon in possession of a firearm, with each count to be served concurrently with one another.   Following the prison term, Mendoza will serve five years on supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

In August of 2019, Mendoza sold a confidential informant methamphetamine on three occasions.  The total quantity of all sales amounted to approximately 140 grams of methamphetamine.  The methamphetamine was tested by the Nebraska State Patrol lab at 99% purity.  Additionally, on August 20, 2019, Mendoza sold the same confidential informant a handgun.  Mendoza was a felon at the time as a result of prior Burglary and Terroristic Threats convictions.  As a convicted felon Mendoza is prevented from possessing a firearm.

This case was investigated by the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force, which is made up of officers from the Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff, Hastings Police Department, Adams County Sheriff, Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI.

Updated February 12, 2021

Topics
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses