United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 9 unsealed Indictments charging 9 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

*          Jason L. Bates, age 48, of Omaha, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on July 18, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          Michael C. Becker, age 23, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with receipt of child pornography beginning on or about August 12, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a $5,000 additional special assessment.  Count II charges the defendant with possession of child pornography beginning on or about August 14, 2018.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment and $5,000 additional special assessment. 

*          Edward Charles Cress, age 33, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with possession of child pornography beginning on or about May 23, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment and $17,000 additional special assessment. 

*          Hector Esparza-Varela, age 40, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about August 18, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

*          David Felipe Martin, a/k/a Alejandro Rodriguez, age 36, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about August 17, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Victor Lopez-Gutierrez, age 36, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about August 10, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Cayla Pritchard, age 35, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment.  Count I charges the defendant with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to deliver 28 grams or more of crack cocaine on June 15, 2020 and continuing to on or about June 26, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, four-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Count II charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine on June 26, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, four-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

  *        Bernavel Rodas-Lopez, age 51, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about July 30, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*          Carlos Armando Zazueta-Arrellano, age 28, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about July 10, 2020.  The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.