United States Attorney Joe 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 March 6, 2008, a Grand Island man was sentenced to 10 years and one month, (121 months), in prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. On July 3, 2007, Rodney Gleason reported to officers of the Grand Island Police Department that he had been assaulted at a residence on North Elm and that there was methamphetamine in the residence. Gleason said he knew that there was methamphetamine in the residence, because he had delivered methamphetamine to that residence the day before. Subsequent investigation led to the execution of a search warrant at the residence and the discovery of more than 10 ounces of a substance containing methamphetamine.

Following the prison sentence, Gleason will serve five years on supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.
Name of Defendant: Rodney A. Gleason

AKA: none
Age: 28
City of Residence: Grand Island, Nebraska
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. Possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more 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 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.

Specific Location of Alleged Crime: 414 N. Elm Street, Grand Island, Nebraska
Location of Arrest: Hall County, Nebraska
Alleged Dollar Loss/Type and Quantity of Drug: Gleason was held responsible for at least 50 grams (approximately 1 3/4 ounces) but less than 150 grams (approximately 5 1/4 ounces) of pure methamphetamine based upon a purity analysis of the 290 grams (approximately 10 1/4 ounces) of a substance containing methamphetamine which was found during the search.
Others Charged in Same Scheme: none
Relevant Dates:
Date of Alleged Crime: Count I. July 3, 2007.
Federal Arrest Date: September 1, 2007
Indictment Returned Date: August 22, 2007
Initial Appearance Date: September 6, 2007
Plea or Trial and Date(s): Pled guilty on December 20, 2007
Sentencing Date: March 6, 2008
Next Court Hearing Type and Date: none
Assigned Magistrate Judge: The Honorable David L. Piester
Held without Bond, or Released from Custody: Released from custody on November 7, 2007.

Initials of Assigned AUSA/Preparer of THIS Release: SEF
Carrie Sawicki
Chief Division Counsel
Media Coordinator
FBI, Omaha Division
402-492-3733