Mexican Man Sentenced for Five Pounds of Pure Methamphetamine

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Luis Enrique Sagaste-Rodriguez, age 35, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced September 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, for possessing with intent to distribute almost 5 pounds of pure methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Sagaste-Rodriguez to 121 months' imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On November 2, 2023, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office stopped Sagaste-Rodriguez for a traffic violation. Sagaste-Rodriguez was the sole occupant of the vehicle. During the encounter, Sagaste-Rodriguez was extremely nervous, including shaking and sweating despite the cool temperature. A drug detection K9 was deployed, which indicated to presence of drugs in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in 2,146 grams of pure meth being seized.

Sagaste-Rodriguez is in the United States illegally and will be deported back to Mexico after serving his sentence.

This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.