Juan Rodriguez-Rios, a 39-year-old resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for drug-related offenses. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis on January 16, 2025, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Rodriguez-Rios was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute 430 grams of methamphetamine and 14 pounds of marijuana.
Following his prison term, Rodriguez-Rios will serve a two-year period of supervised release. In the federal system, parole is not available.
The case began on September 6, 2022, when the Nebraska State Patrol stopped a GMC Yukon on Interstate 80 near Seward due to an inoperative brake light. Juan Rodriguez-Rios was identified as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. Although he received only a warning after the traffic stop, he consented to a search of his vehicle. The search led to the discovery of approximately 14 pounds of marijuana and 430 grams of pure methamphetamine.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Nebraska State Patrol.
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced these developments in a press release.