Grand Island Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking Following a Jury Trial

Noe Loera, age 35, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was convicted of distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine following a jury trial. The Honorable Joseph Bataillon presided over the trial. The evidence presented at trial showed that a police informant contacted Noe Loera on September 22, 2010, to purchase about a half-ounce of methamphetamine. The police then conducted surveillance while the informant met with Noe Loera and Jesus Samaniego at Noe Loera’s home in Grand Island. A transcription and translation of an audio recording of the meeting, prepared by an FBI linguist, provided key evidence of several incriminating statements made by Noe Loera. Jesus Samaniego pled guilty earlier to a related charge.

A sentencing hearing for Noe Loera is scheduled for November 8, 2013. The charge of distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine carries with it a possible penalty of at least five years’ imprisonment and possibly up to 40 years, a fine of up to $5 million, at least four years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force. That task force is composed of the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, Hall County Sheriff’s Department, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, Hastings Police Department, Grand Island Police Department, Kearney Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.