(UPDATED) US Attorney Holds News Conference on Largest Drug Round-Up in Nebraska History (VIDEO)

United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska, Deborah R. Gilg, announced today at a press conference in North Platte, Nebraska the federal indictments of sixty people involved in a Methamphetamine conspiracy investigation in Central and Western Nebraska, and Northeastern Colorado.

The joint operation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, included law enforcement officers from the Cooperative Operation for Drug Enforcement (CODE) Drug Task Force, Western Nebraska Intelligence & Narcotics Group (WING), and the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force (CNDSSTF), and Colorado law enforcement authorities.

This year-long operation resulted in the federal indictment of sixty individuals, and another four individuals arrested on state charges, for Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance with intent to Distribute, and Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Starting in the early morning hours of Tuesday, February 23, 2016, CODE, WING, and CNDSSTF members, along with the assistance of other Nebraska and Colorado local, state, and federal law enforcement arrested 53 on federal charges and four on state charges, throughout Nebraska and Eastern Colorado. Seven of the federally indicted individuals are still at large. The United States Marshal’s Service assisted in the round-up of these fugitives.

Recovered during the arrest of these individuals were 8.4 ounces of methamphetamine and $1,141.

Two federal search warrants resulted in three vehicles being seized, valued at approximately $85,000, one sawed off shotgun, one revolver, and approximately $17,250. Five state search warrants resulted in the recovery of $17,500, over 2lbs of meth, and 5 guns. Unrelated arrests include 2 individuals on local charges which resulted in the seizure of 1 rifle, a ballistic vest and 16 grams of ecstasy.

Participating Nebraska drug task forces included the CODE Drug Task Force, made up of law enforcement agencies throughout a 22 county area in west-central/southwest Nebraska; the WING Task Force covering eleven panhandle counties (Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux); and the CNDSSTF covering Hall, Adams, Merrick and Buffalo counties of Nebraska. Colorado law enforcement agencies included the Federal Bureau of Investigation – (Denver Office), Holyoke, Colorado Police Department and the Sedgwick County, Colorado Sheriff’s Office.

“This is an incredible effort involving nearly thirty law enforcement agencies”, said U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg, “The coordination and cooperation in this investigation is a tremendous tribute to the selfless dedication we see time and time again with our law enforcement agencies.” “Two years ago today we were gathered in North Platte to honor many of these same law enforcement officers who were being recognized with an award from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). That HIDTA award, from a case which began in 2012, ironically spun off into the drug conspiracy involving many of these indictments and arrests earlier this week.”

Those indicted are:

Anthony Apodaca-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Vigil Apodaca Sr.-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Virgil Apodaca Jr.-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Jack Seals (AT LARGE)-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Mary Bockman-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Brett Smyth-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Mauricio Cabrera-Scottsbluff, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Lorinda Cabrera-Scottsbluff, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Jose Cantu-Morrill, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Eric Molina-Scottsbluff, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Courtney Rae Coleman-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000.000 fine)
Joel Cervantes-Morales-Omaha, Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Ricardo Diaz-No Hometown Listed, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Wendy Pulido-No Hometown Listed, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Janet Fontenot-Hershey, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Stephanie Hill-Hershey, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Lori Formanek-Wheat Ridge, CO, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Francisco Gomez-Grand Island, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Rose Gomez-Grand Island, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Jason Hibbs-Kearney, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Manuel Ortiz-Kearney, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Maria Robles-Rojas-No Hometown Listed, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Jesus Aguirre-Hastings, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Gilbert Gomez Jr.-Hastings, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Gilbert Gomez Sr.-Hastings, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Martin Gomez-Hastings, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Monica Gomez-Hastings, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Richard Keith-Evans, CO, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Jesse Klempter-North Platte, Distribution of Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Enrique Martinez-Cozad, Distribution of Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Oscar Escandon-Gibbon, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Jessica Miller-Gibbon, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Juan Manuel Munoz-Lexington, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Aaron Nunnenkamp-North Platte, Distribution of Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Lee Benson-Big Springs, Distribution of Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Louis Ortega-Big Springs, Distribution of Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Randy Casillas-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Jody Casillas-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Ryan Gabel-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Rachel Humphrey-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Donald Morrissey-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Keith Phelps-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Andrea Tracy-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Jesus Quezada-Lexington, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Teresa Enninga-Julesburg, CO, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Tyce Miller-Julesburg, CO, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Martin Radel-Julesburg, CO, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Jesus Gonzales-Grand Island, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Domingo Rivera-Grand Island, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Sheri Queen-Julesburg, CO, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Roxanne Reynolds-Julesburg, CO, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Nasario Sanchez-Julesburg, CO, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Brian Titman-McCook, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Jose Valierra-Lexington, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Christopher Gonzales-North Platte, Distribution of Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Thomas Venegas-Scottsbluff, Distribution of Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Roy Vieyra-North Platte, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (0-20 years, $1,000,000 fine)
Jeremy Soto-Gering, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Tiffany Zerley-Gering, Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)
Danny Huerta-Grand Island, Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (5-40 years, $5,000,000 fine)

According to Gilg, all fugitives have been captured, with the exception of Jack Seals, Manuel Ortiz, Maria Robles-Rojas, Thomas Venegas and Danny Huerta. Officials are asking for the public’s assistance in locating these individuals.

The first group of defendants from the round-up will make their initial appearance in US District Court in Omaha this afternoon.

Hear the statements from Gilg here (the Presser starts at around 2:20 in the video. Edits are pending.):

Hear the audio of the full Press Conference here: