United States Attorney's Office
District of Nebraska

January 4, 2007

United States Attorney Joe W. Stecher and the Tri-Cities Drug Task Force, including: the Nebraska State Patrol, FBI, Grand Island Police Department, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, the Hastings Police Department, the Hall County Attorney’s Office, IRS, the Kearney Police Department, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, announce the following information for the attention of the media:

Event Triggering this Release: On January 4, 2007, an Indictment was unsealed charging Albert Hernandez with two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in the District of Nebraska.

Name of Defendant: Albert Hernandez

AKA: Morro

Age: 26

City of Residence: Chicago, Illinois

Crime(s) Charged and Potential Penalty (A CHARGE is merely an accusation and every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty): Count I. Distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1). The maximum penalties include not less than 5 years to more than 40 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $2,000,000, or both such fine and imprisonment, a term of supervised release of at least 4 years and a $100 special assessment. Count II. Distribution of a substance containing methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1). The maximum penalties include not more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both such fine and imprisonment, a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and a $100 special assessment.

Specific Location of Alleged Crime: Hall County, Nebraska

Location of Arrest: Hall County, Nebraska

Alleged Dollar Loss/Type and Quantity of Drug: Count I. At least 5 grams of methamphetamine (actual). Count II. A substance containing methamphetamine.

Others Charged in Same Scheme: none

Relevant Dates:

Date of Alleged Crime: Count I. February 1, 2005. Count II. February 15, 2005.

Federal Arrest Date: November 29, 2006

Date Complaint Issued: none

Indictment Returned Date: November 15, 2006

Initial Appearance Date: January 4, 2007

Plea or Trial and Date(s): Trial on February 26, 2007

Sentencing Date:

Next Court Hearing Type and Date: Trial on February 26, 2007

Assigned Magistrate Judge: The Honorable David L. Piester

Held without Bond, or Released from Custody: Held without bond

In Continuous Custody Since: November 29, 2006

Assigned District Court Judge: The Honorable Richard G. Kopf

Initials of Assigned AUSA/Preparer of THIS Release: LMW