California man sentenced eleven years for transporting drugs

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- A California man was sentenced to 11 years in prison for transporting drugs. 

The Acting United States Attorney announced that 42-year-old Esteban Dejesus Huerta Rocha was sentenced on Oct. 7, 2022, by the United States District Court Judge to a term of 135 months in prison.

Rocha's sentencing follows his conviction for possession of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, as well as cocaine and marijuana, with the intent to distribute.

After he completes his prison sentence, Rocha will also serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on Nov. 4, 2021, Rocha, along with Jose Alfredo Ek-Poot and Ricardo Jiminez-Noveno, were traveling east on Interstate 80 near Grand Island when they were stopped by a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol for driving 87 mph in a 75-mph zone.

Rocha was the driver, Jiminez-Noveno was the front-seat passenger, and Ek-Poot was seated in the back. When the trooper approached the car, he said he could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the car and he saw a bag of marijuana inside the car.

When troopers searched the car, a mason jar containing marijuana was located in the front passenger door compartment. A backpack containing a meth pipe was discovered on the front passenger floorboard. Rocha was searched and he had a small bag of cocaine in his pocket.

In the trunk, troopers found approximately 8.5 lbs. of meth, 5.5 lbs. of marijuana, and 10.8 oz. of cocaine.

Rocha pleaded guilty on July 6, 2022. Ek-Poot is set for a pretrial status conference hearing on Nov. 3. Jiminez-Noveno pleaded guilty on Aug. 30 and is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on Nov. 21.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.