Sonia Martinez, 41, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced on April 2 in federal court in Lincoln for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis ordered Martinez to serve a total of 322 months in prison with no possibility of parole. After her release, she will be subject to a ten-year term of supervised release.
The case highlights the consequences faced by individuals involved in large-scale drug distribution and related firearms offenses.
According to United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods, law enforcement conducted eight controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Martinez and co-defendant Andrew Juarez between January 24 and March 23, 2024. Four of these transactions also included the purchase of six firearms. The controlled buys were arranged through a third party working with an undercover officer.
Laboratory analysis confirmed that at least 470 grams of pure methamphetamine and at least 450 grams of methamphetamine mixture were obtained during these operations. Co-defendant Juarez received a sentence totaling 230 months in prison and five years supervised release earlier this year from Judge Bazis.
The investigation was carried out by the TRIDENT and CODE Task Forces, which consist of multiple law enforcement agencies across west-central and southwest Nebraska including local police departments, sheriff’s offices, the Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations.
The sentencing underscores ongoing efforts by regional task forces to address drug trafficking activities involving dangerous substances like methamphetamine.
