Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : New Sentences Handed Down in Federal Court in Nebraska
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Acting U.S. Attorney Susan T. Lehr’s office in the District of Nebraska has released a roundup of sentences handed down in federal court, concluding on November 29, 2023. It is important to note that there is no parole in the federal system.
Shawn Thomas, a 34-year-old resident of Roseville, Calif., was recently sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian Buescher for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana. Thomas received a five-year prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. The investigation into his co-conspirators revealed their regular shipment of boxes containing marijuana from Sacramento, Calif. to Omaha, where other members of the conspiracy would distribute it. These shipments were facilitated through various methods, including the U.S. Mail and commercial shippers like FedEx. Law enforcement seized a 22.5-pound box of marijuana from an Omaha residence on December 18, 2020, with Thomas and three co-defendants present. Shipping records and cellphone messages indicated Thomas’s responsibility for mailing the packages, leading to his conviction for conspiring to distribute at least 100 kilograms of marijuana. Co-defendants Aarion Jenkins and Marques Eiland, both 29 and from Omaha, received earlier prison sentences of 40 months and 31 months, respectively, while Julio Ayala, 33, from Sacramento, was sentenced to 18 months behind bars.
Oscar Villa, 37, of California, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy. After completing his prison term, Villa will serve five years of supervised release. Villa and Johana Madrid were found near Nebraska Highway 35 in Wayne County, Neb. in August 2022, prompting Nebraska state troopers to investigate. Madrid confessed to carrying meth, and a firearm was discovered nearby. The troopers also found a large meth shard concealed in Madrid’s fitted sheet. Following further investigation, troopers located a hidden book bag containing approximately 20 pounds of pure meth. Madrid has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing in January.
Adam Schenkelberg, a 37-year-old Omaha resident, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for receipt and distribution of child pornography. Schenkelberg will also undergo five years of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and pay $12,500 in special assessments. The Nebraska Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received reports in May and August 2022, indicating that Schenkelberg had uploaded child pornography to the messaging app Kik. Investigators traced the IP address to Schenkelberg’s Sarpy County residence, leading to the execution of a search warrant in November 2022. Over 600 images of child pornography, including some involving toddlers, were found on Schenkelberg’s devices and iCloud account.
Mar Maluoth, a 25-year-old resident of Omaha, received a prison sentence of 70 months for illegal possession of a machine gun. Upon completion of his prison term, Maluoth will serve three years of supervised release. In September 2022, Omaha Police officers observed Maluoth carrying what appeared to be a rifle near 30th and Manderson Streets while surveilling a home in search of a wanted escapee. Maluoth entered a black Kia Optima that officers later stopped for failing to obey a stop sign. During the stop, officers found marijuana shake and an open alcohol container. Maluoth’s behavior and failure to comply with officers’ commands resulted in his detainment and subsequent frisk, leading to the discovery of a Glock 23 .40 caliber handgun with a “Glock switch” under his seat. The firearm was determined to function as a machine gun after testing.
These recent sentences reflect the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking, child exploitation, and illegal possession of firearms in the District of Nebraska.