RENO, Nev. – Two drug traffickers were sentenced today to a total of 16 years in federal prison after a traffic stop in Carson City for speeding led to the discovery of large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin in their car, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI.

“Those who deal highly addictive drugs, like methamphetamine and heroin, prey on the addictions of others and damage communities,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “We were able to successfully prosecute this case thanks to our strong law enforcement partnerships.”

“Drug traffickers will continue to be the focus of the FBI’s Northern Nevada Safe Streets Gang Task Force because no one in our community should have to live in fear of the activity that drug trafficking brings to their neighborhoods,” said Special Agent in Charge Rouse.

Danny Lyle Jensen II, 39, and Kimberly Lopes, 37, both of Henderson, were sentenced to 130 months and 63 months, respectively, and five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben. They previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine.

On December 6, 2017, a deputy with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office observed a car speeding and attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle. During the traffic stop, the deputy noticed Jensen and Lopes’ hands were shaking as they looked for the vehicle registration and insurance, they avoided eye contact, and they provided different cities when asked about their destination. The deputy noticed in plain view a spoon in the passenger door compartment and a roll of shrink wrap in the back seat, both are items often associated with drug use and classified as drug paraphernalia. During a search of the vehicle with a drug detection K9, a total of two kilograms of methamphetamine and a half pound of heroin were discovered concealed in packages in the interior firewall of the trunk.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Keller prosecuted the case.

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