Lincoln Man Sentenced for Distributing Cocaine

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg and the Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department, Lancaster County Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announce the following information for the attention of the media:

Event Triggering this Release:

On December 16, 2009, a Lincoln man was sentenced to 12 years and seven months, (151 months), in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and powder cocaine over approximately a two-year time period. Otis Jones was held responsible for the distribution of between 10 a ounces and 18 ounces of crack cocaine and between 18 ounces and 4 ½ pounds of powder cocaine. In May of 2008, an undercover Lincoln Police officer and a confidential informant made two purchases of small amounts of crack cocaine from a third party who obtained the crack from Jones. In January of 2009, an undercover Lincoln Police officer purchased a small amount of crack cocaine directly from Jones. A few days after that purchase, search warrants were obtained for two Lincoln residences where Jones was known to stay. During the search of one of the residences, officers found more than one ounce of crack cocaine. Jones later told officers the crack belonged to him. Following the prison term, Jones will serve five years on supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.

Name of Defendant: Otis Jones

AKA: Junior

Age: 31

City of residence: Lincoln

Crime(s) Charged and Potential Penalty (A CHARGE is merely an accusation and every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty): Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, and 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. The possible penalty for is not less than 10 years nor more than life imprisonment and a fine of up to $4,000,000. Following any prison term, there would be a term of supervised release of not less than five years. There is also a $100 special assessment.

Specific Location of Alleged Crime: Lincoln

Location of Arrest: Lincoln

Alleged Dollar Loss/Type and Quantity of Drug: Jones was held responsible for at least 150 grams (approximately 5 a ounces) but less than 500 grams (approximately 18 ounces) of crack cocaine and at least 500 grams (approximately 18 ounces) but less than 2 kilograms (slightly less than 4 ½ pounds) of powder cocaine.

Others Charged in Same Scheme: None

Relevant Dates:

Date of Alleged Crime: Between on or about January 1, 2007, and January 20, 2009

Federal Arrest Date: February 26, 2009

Date Complaint Issued:

Indictment Returned Date: February 19, 2009

Initial Appearance Date: February 26, 2009

Plea or Trial and Date(s): Pled guilty on June 23, 2009

Sentencing Date: December 16, 2009

Next Court Hearing Type and Date: none

Assigned Magistrate Judge: The Honorable David L. Piester

Held without Bond, or Released from Custody: held without bond

In Continuous Custody Since: Jones was arrested on a related state charge on January 20, 2009, and has been in continuous custody since that time. The state charge was dismissed after Jones was indicted on the federal conspiracy charge.

Assigned District Court Judge: The Honorable Richard G. Kopf

Initials of Assigned AUSA/Preparer of THIS Release: SEF