Grand Island Woman Sentenced for Distribution of Methamphetamine

United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Erika Vargas, 39, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 10 years in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system. Following her prison term, Vargas will serve eight years on supervised release. 

In May of 2019, an informant working with law enforcement contacted Vargas to purchase methamphetamine.  Vargas then facilitated the purchase of methamphetamine from her supplier.

In September of 2019, the informant contacted Vargas again to purchase methamphetamine.  Vargas agreed to sell the informant half an ounce of methamphetamine.  On the way to their meeting location, Vargas contacted the informant and stated that she had already sold the half ounce of methamphetamine but had more coming.  Once the informant arrived at the agreed location, Vargas introduced the informant to another supplier who then provided the informant with half an ounce of methamphetamine.

Vargas had previously been convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine in 2004, which increased her penalties for this case.

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation.