Lincoln Man Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Marijuana

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on June 14, 2012, an indictment was unsealed charging Luis Orta Espinoza, 30, of Lincoln, with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana between June 2008 and April 2012.

The conspiracy charge carries a possible penalty of not less than 10 years nor more than life in prison; a fine of up to $10 million; and a term of supervised release following the prison term of not less than five years.

Espinoza appeared in federal court in Lincoln on June 18, 2012, and was ordered held without bond. Trial is scheduled to begin August 28, 2012.

The matter was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, which includes officers of the Lincoln Police Department, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department.

Hells Angels Members and Associates Arrested on 91-Count Federal RICO Indictment

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles and Special Agent in Charge David A. Thomas of the Federal Bureau of Investigation stated that 19 individuals were arrested today after the return of a 91-count indictment charging members and associates of the Rock Hell City Nomad Chapter of the Hells Angels with racketeering and racketeering conspiracy (RICO-18 U.S.C. §1962), narcotics violations (21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 846), Hobbs Act robbery (18 U.S.C. §1951), money laundering (18 U.S.C. §1956), and firearm violations [18 U.S.C. §§ 922 and 924; 26 U.S.C. §§ 5861(d), 5845(a)(7), and 5871]. Those arrested were Daniel Eugene Bifield, a/k/a Diamond Dan (Leesville); Mark William Baker, a/k/a Lightning (Lancaster); David Channing Oiler, a/k/a Gravel Dave (Lancaster); Bruce James Long, a/k/a Bruce-Bruce (West Columbia); Richard Thrower, a/k/a Little Mark, Rat (Lancaster); David Pryor, a/k/a Yard Owl (York); James Frederick Keach, Jr., a/k/a Big Fred (Pelion); Frank Enriquez, Jr., a/k/a Big Frank (Rock Hill); Donald Boersma, a/k/a Brooklyn Donnie (Clover); Lisa Ellen Bifield, a/k/a Lisa Ellen Meyers, Lisa Ellen Stockton (Leesville); Johanna Looper, a/k/a JoJo (York); Kerry Chitwood (Gastonia, North Carolina); Carlos Hernandez (Charlotte, North Carolina); Ronald Dean Byrum, Jr., a/k/a Big Ron (Gastonia, North Carolina); Trent Allen Brown (West Columbia); Bruce Ranson Wilson, a/k/a Diesel (Swansea); Thomas McManus Plyler, a/k/a Uncle Tom (Rock Hill); Jamie Hobbs Long (Lancaster); and Somying Anderson, a/k/a Ying (West Columbia).

The arrest warrants were served along with the execution of 23 search warrants in North and South Carolina. During today’s operation, law enforcement seized methamphatamine, cocaine, marijuana, pills, and approximately 100 firearms, including two automatic machine guns. Special Agent in Charge David Thomas stated, “The significance of the extensive and long-term investigative efforts that resulted in the arrests today represent the FBI’s continuing commitment to the dismantling of organized criminal organizations. By working in a joint environment with federal, state, and local counterparts, we send a clear message that such pervasive criminal activities will not be tolerated.”

These arrests follow a two-year interagency investigation by the South Carolina Hells Angels Task Force (SCHATF). Assisting in the investigation and today’s operation were the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Columbia and Charlotte Field Divisions; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Lexington County Sheriff’s Department; Lexington Police Department; Rock Hill Police Department; York County Sheriff’s Office; Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office; State Law Enforcement Division; Gastonia, Police Department; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department; Gaston County Sheriff’s Office; and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney Bill Nettles commended the inter-agency cooperation, saying, “Today’s arrests and seizures are an important step in our ongoing fight against criminal gangs operating in South Carolina. This investigation is also another example of what can be accomplished through a close partnership among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.” The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay N. Richardson.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Lincoln Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on May 3, 2012, Jodi Ann Haynes, age 21, of Lincoln, was sentenced to 10 years and one month (121 months) in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine between January of 2009 and December of 2010. Following the prison term, Haynes will serve five years on supervised release. She was also ordered to forfeit $810 cash to the United States.

Information obtained by law enforcement indicated that Haynes was responsible for the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms (approximately three pounds) of methamphetamine in the Lincoln area. Haynes was found in possession of small amounts of methamphetamine in May and October of 2010. In January of 2011 Haynes was sentenced in Lancaster County District Court to three to eight years in prison resulting from one of those incidents. Haynes’s federal prison sentence was imposed to run concurrently with the remainder of her state sentence.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, which includes the Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.