Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen announced that Mario Garibay-Reyes, 47, and Diego Mendoza-Aguilar, 37, both from Mexico, were sentenced in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. On March 26, 2025, United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher handed down sentences of 160 months’ imprisonment for Garibay-Reyes and 70 months for Mendoza-Aguilar. Additionally, both will face a 3-year term of supervised release after completing their prison sentences. Due to their illegal status, they are subject to deportation after serving their time.
The case began on November 9, 2023, when law enforcement used an undercover agent to purchase 414 grams of methamphetamine from Mendoza-Aguilar in Omaha. After the controlled transaction, officers observed Mendoza-Aguilar distributing 208 grams of the drug to others, leading to arrests and the seizure of the methamphetamine. The investigation revealed that Garibay-Reyes supplied Mendoza-Aguilar with the methamphetamine for these transactions.
Further developments in the case occurred on November 14, 2024, when law enforcement executed a search warrant at Mendoza-Aguilar's residence in Omaha. Garibay-Reyes was living with Mendoza-Aguilar at the time. During the search, investigators found 559 grams of methamphetamine in Garibay-Reyes's bedroom and another 22 grams in Mendoza-Aguilar's quarters. A search of Garibay-Reyes's vehicle, which was parked outside, yielded an additional 5,718 grams of methamphetamine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case, which is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. The goal of OCDETF is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level criminal organizations through a coordinated, intelligence-driven multi-agency approach. More details about the OCDETF Program can be accessed at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.