Grand Island Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen announced that Lonnie Mason, 42, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 7, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Mason to 250 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Mason is released from prison, he will begin a lifetime term of supervised release

On January 30, 2024, Mason and co-conspirator Jolene Armentrout flew from Omaha to Los Angeles, California, and purchased 25 pounds of methamphetamine. Meanwhile, co-conspirators Robert Burkhardt and Stephanie Cummings drove Mason’s car from Omaha to Las Vegas, Nevada. Burkhardt and Cummings met Armentrout and Mason in Las Vegas. Mason and Cummings then flew back to Nebraska while Armentrout and Burkhardt drove to California from Las Vegas and picked up the 25 pounds of methamphetamine. Armentrout and Burkhardt then drove the 25 pounds of methamphetamine back to Mason’s apartment in Grand Island, Nebraska and arrived on February 4, 2024. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and located the 25 pounds of methamphetamine contained in a hidden compartment.  On that date, law enforcement also executed a search warrant of Mason’s apartment and located a stolen firearm, methamphetamine, ammunition, and venue to Mason from his recent trip to California.

Cummings, Armentrout, and Burkhardt have all been convicted and sentenced in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska for this conduct. Cummings received 108 months’ imprisonment, Armentrout received 94 months’ imprisonment, and Burkhardt received 57 months’ imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Grand Island Police Department.  This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.