Hastings Man Charged After Grand Jury Findings

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 6 unsealed Indictments charging 9 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Eric Gerlach, age 60, of Hastings, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Gerlach with receipt of child pornography on or about between May 10, 2025, and May 12, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.   Count II charges Gerlach with possession of child pornography on or about May 20, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.    

Jayvon Dominique Gant, age 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about September 20, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

Jose Andres Huerta Cruz, age 30, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Blanca Yesenia Rincon Flores, age 30, of Lincoln, Nebraska, are charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about October 24, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.     

Daniel Robert Berg, age 42, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about October 31, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $8,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 8 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.         

David Samuel Leibrandt, age 43, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Jessie Feaser, Jr., age 49, of Lincoln, Nebraska, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine beginning on or about August 1, 2025, continuing to on or about October 10, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.   

Ever A. Cano Ruacho, age 35, and Jimmie Collazo Jr., age 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, are charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges Cano Ruacho and Collazo, Jr. with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine beginning on or about May 20, 2025, and continuing to on or about October 16, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.   Count II charges Cano Ruacho and Collazo, Jr. with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about October 16, 2025.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and