Colorado man is sentenced to three decades in prison for selling meth in Nebraska, Iowa

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LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska) — A Colorado man will serve more than three decades in prison for taking part in a drug ring that sold methamphetamines in Nebraska and Iowa, the US attorney’s office said.

Jose O. Maes, 38, was sentenced Wednesday in Lincoln to 31 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a meth concoction with a previous violent felony conviction.

From 2020 to 2022, Maes was involved in a meth ring that sold several pounds of meth in Lincoln, Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, according to the attorney’s office.

On February 11, 2022, members of the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force witnessed Maes meet with two co-conspirators at the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs.

The attorney’s office said it appeared to be a drug deal. Soon after, the group exchanged money at a nearby gas station.

Later that night, the two co-conspirators, driving separate vehicles, were stopped by soldiers on Interstate 80 on their way back to Lincoln.

Soldiers searched both vehicles and found 4 pounds of methamphetamine, numerous fentanyl pills, two handguns and $5,000, according to the attorney’s office.

After a search, Iowa investigators were notified that Maes was thought to be in possession of methamphetamines, cash and a firearm.

At around 2:30 a.m. Feb. 12, an investigator found Maes’ car in the parking lot of Harrah’s Casino, the attorney’s office said.

Maes then drove off and the investigator gave chase.

The chase ended approximately 30 miles from the casino in rural Pottawattamie County.

Inside his car, authorities found ¼ ounce of methamphetamine, some fentanyl pills, a loaded handgun with an extended clip and more than $34,000, the attorney’s office said.

Upon his release from prison, Maes will serve a 15-year period of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Tags: Council Bluffs, crime, drug deal, drug ring, fentanyl pills, guns, horseshoe casino, I-80, Interstate 80, Iowa, jose maes, lincoln, Lincoln Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, maes, meth, meth ring, nebraska crime, nebraska crime report, omaha, parole, pills, pottawattamie county, prison sentence

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