Mikayla Daleness, a 26-year-old resident of Lexington, Nebraska, has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen announced the sentencing, which took place on March 27, 2025, in Lincoln, Nebraska. The sentencing was delivered by United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis. Upon completing her prison sentence, Daleness will serve a five-year term of supervised release, as there is no parole in the federal system.
Daleness, along with three other individuals from Cozad, collaborated from the summer of 2023 into early 2024 to transport methamphetamine from Colorado to the Lexington-Cozad area. The distribution network was uncovered through investigations that included search warrants for Facebook communications, which identified individuals and their residences involved in the operation.
In January 2024, a search at a co-conspirator's home in Cozad led investigators to seize a loaded handgun, ammunition, methamphetamine, and distribution paraphernalia. Evidence from cell phone data indicated the continuation of the drug distribution network. Additionally, recorded jail calls revealed plans to acquire more methamphetamine from Colorado. Consequently, on February 6, 2024, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, finding Daleness in a vehicle with methamphetamine, THC, and drug paraphernalia. A further search of her Cozad residence uncovered additional drug-related items.
This case was investigated by the CODE Drug Task Force, which includes members from the Lexington Police Department, Cozad Police Department, North Platte Police Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol. The investigation also received assistance from the West Metro Drug Task Force in Colorado.