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: The Honorable Richard G. Kopf sentenced Santiago Almazan Rios to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for a term of 87 months on count 1 of the Indictment, for possession of over 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and 60 months on Count 2 for possession of a firearm during a drug transaction, the terms to be run consecutively, followed by 5 years supervised release.    Mr. Almazan Rios was also ordered to forfeit a Star semi-automatic handgun to the United States.  The conviction stemmed from a search of a room at Motel 6 in Grand island, Nebraska on August 21, 2007.  That room had been rented by Almazan Rios and used by him and co-defendant Johnny Vega to distribute methamphetamine.  During the search, Tri-City Drug Task Force investigators found about a half-pound of methamphetamine and the Star handgun.

Name of Defendant: Santiago Almazan Rios

AKA: 

Age: 32

City of residence: Grand Island

Crime(s) Charged and Potential Penalty (A CHARGE is merely an accusation and every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty): Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine - 5 years to 40 years imprisonment, $2,000,000 fine, 4 years term of supervised release, and $100 special assessment as to count 1.  Possession of firearm during drug transaction - 5 years, consecutive, $250,000 fine, 5 years term supervised release, $100 special assessment as to count 2.

Specific Location of Alleged Crime: Hall County, Nebraska

Location of Arrest: Hall County, Nebraska

Alleged Dollar Loss/Type and Quantity of Drug:   Over 50 grams of methamphetamine                                                                                                   

Others Charged in Same Scheme: Johnny Vega

Relevant Dates: 

Date of Alleged Crime: August 21, 2007

Federal Arrest Date: August 23, 2007

Date Complaint Issued: N/A

Indictment Returned Date: August 22, 2007

Initial Appearance Date: August 29, 2007

Plea or Trial and Date(s): Plea - February 7, 2008

Sentencing Date: April 29, 2008

Next Court Hearing Type and Date: N/A

Assigned Magistrate Judge: David L. Piester

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

In Continuous Custody Since: August 21, 2007

Assigned District Court Judge: Richard G. Kopf

Initials of Assigned AUSA/Preparer of THIS Release: BGW/sl