United States Attorney Susan Lehr has announced the sentencing of Joseph Goeken, a 40-year-old resident of Omaha, Nebraska. On January 22, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Goeken received a sentence for methamphetamine distribution. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced him to 190 months in prison without parole in the federal system. Following his release, Goeken will serve a five-year term of supervised release.
The case against Goeken began on March 11, 2024, when an undercover agent from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) purchased approximately one pound of methamphetamine from him in Omaha. The substance was tested at a crime laboratory and found to weigh 443 grams with a purity level of at least 91 percent. Goeken also conducted two additional meth sales to the undercover agent: two ounces on March 5, 2024, and another pound on April 4, 2024.
On April 8, 2024, DEA agents were preparing to execute a search warrant at Goeken’s apartment when he fled during an attempted traffic stop by a Nebraska State Patrol trooper. He drove away at high speed and abandoned his vehicle shortly after. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered approximately 116 grams of methamphetamine (including packaging) and a digital scale inside a bag. A subsequent search of his apartment revealed approximately 59 grams of methamphetamine (including packaging).
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.