California Man Sentenced for Possessing Cocaine at Omaha Bus Station

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Fernando Aguirre-Quintero, age 25, of Laguna, California, was sentenced September 5, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possession with intent to deliver 500 grams or more of cocaine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Aguirre-Quintero to 90 months' imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Aguirre-Quintero's release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.

On March 1, 2023, Aguirre-Quintero got off a bus at the Trailways Bus Station in downtown Omaha. A DEA task force officer began a conversation with Aguirre-Quintero. When the task force officer asked to see Aguirre-Quintero's bus ticket, Aguirre-Quintero told the officer he snuck onto the bus without a ticket. Dispatch advised that Aguirre-Quintero had a prior drug-related arrest.

The task force officer conducted a canine sniff of Aguirre-Quintero's backpack, and the canine positively alerted to the scent of narcotics. The backpack was searched pursuant to a warrant. Five sealed packages containing approximately one kilogram of cocaine each were seized.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Nebraska State Patrol. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office chemistry division assisted with forensic testing of the drugs seized.