Four central Nebraskans sentenced on separate meth convictions in federal court
Four people from central Nebraska were sentenced following separate meth-related convictions in federal court this week.
By News Channel NebraskaLINCOLN, Neb. -- Four people from central Nebraska were sentenced following separate meth-related convictions in federal court this week.
Acting U.S. Attorney Steven Russell made the announcements Thursday afternoon.
33-year-old Derek Hartford of Grand Island, 49-year-old Jorge Sardinas of Hastings, 36-year-old Robbie Rodriguez of Grand Island, and 32-year-old Alicia Elliott of Holdrege were all sentenced to prison.
Hartford was arrested in 2020 after investigators executed a search warrant on his Grand Island residence, where they found drug packaging paraphernalia, marijuana, and at least 13 grams of actual methamphetamine. Hartford was arrested later that same day, and had more marijuana, cash, and methamphetamine paraphernalia in his car. Hartford admitted he had been selling methamphetamine. At the time of his offense, he had a prior conviction for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He will now serve 10 years in prison.
Sardinas will also serve 10 years in prison.
In 2021, Sardinas sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Hastings on two occasions and was arrested with methamphetamine in his truck several months after the sales. At the time, Sardinas had a prior conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Rodriguez was sentenced to six years in prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.
Law enforcement officers were alerted to Rodriguez’s residence after they received information of possible child abuse. Officers obtained a search warrant for the home and found evidence of drug distribution, including nine grams of pure methamphetamine, marijuana, a scale, packaging material and other items of drug paraphernalia. Officers also found a 25 caliber pistol.
Elliott faces five years in prison for meth distribution.
In November of 2018, a confidential informant purchased methamphetamine from Elliott twice. During the first purchase, the informant purchased 14.4 grams of methamphetamine from Elliott in Kearney. A week later, the informant purchased 25.8 grams of methamphetamine from her in Elm Creek.