Drug and Gun Dealers Sentenced

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced today that the last two members of a drug conspiracy were sentenced in federal court. Francisco Sanchez-Gastelum, 40, was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment and Manuel Menchaca, 37, was sentenced to 12 and a half years by Chief Judge Laurie Smith Camp in Omaha. Between October 7, 2011 and February 28, 2012, Menchaca and Jorge Montejano were involved in selling guns and methamphetamine to an undercover officer in the Omaha area. In total, law enforcement purchased two assault rifles, a .40 caliber pistol and 279 grams of 85% pure methamphetamine. The operation ended after law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sanchez-Gastelum's residence, also in Omaha, and discovered almost four pounds of methamphetamine. The value of the drugs involved is over $100,000.

Montejano, who was on supervised release for a previous drug conviction out of Iowa, was previously sentenced by Judge Smith Camp to 170 months in prison for his involvement in this case and for violating his supervised release.

In commending the ATF and the Omaha Police Department for their work on this case U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg stated "These are serious sentences for serious offenders. Daily we see the lethal effects guns and drugs have on our community. We are grateful to the officers involved for their successful pursuit of people that put our community at risk."