Hastings Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and a Related Firearm Charge

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Andrew Juarez, 38, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 8, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and one count of using, carrying, or possessing a firearm during and relation to a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Juarez to a total of 230 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Juarez’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

Between January 24, 2024, and March 23, 2024, CODE and TRIDENT task forces coordinated eight controlled buys of methamphetamine from Sonia Martinez and Andrew Juarez.  Four of the controlled buys also involved purchasing six firearms.  The buys were coordinated by a confidential informant and by an undercover officer.  The Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab confirmed at least 470 grams of methamphetamine actual and at least 450 grams of methamphetamine mixture from the eight controlled buys in total.

Co-defendant Martinez is currently set for sentencing on March 12, 2026, before United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis.

This case was investigated by the TRIDENT and CODE Task Forces which is made up of law enforcement agencies throughout a 22-county area in west-central/southwest Nebraska and includes the North Platte Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Ogallala Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations.