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 May 2, 2008, a Grand Island man was sentenced to 14 years, (168 months), in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine in the Grand Island area between June of 2006 and mid-October of 2007.  Merlin Gosch was held responsible for the distribution of between approximately three and eleven pounds of methamphetamine during that time.  Following the prison term, Gosch will serve five years on supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.

Name of Defendant : Merlin Allen Gosch

AKA : “MJ”

Age: 27

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.  Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1). The maximum penalties include not less than five nor 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 : Hall County, Nebraska

Location of Arrest :   Hall County, Nebraska

Alleged Dollar Loss/Type and Quantity of Drug :   Gosch was held responsible for the distribution of at least 1.5 kilograms, (approximately three pounds) but less than 5 kilograms (approximately 11 pounds) of a substance containing methamphetamine. 

Others Charged in Same Scheme : none

Relevant Dates : 

Date of Alleged Crime : June 1, 2006, through October 11, 2007

Federal Arrest Date : October 19, 2007

Date Complaint Issued : 

Indictment Returned Date : October 18, 2007

Initial Appearance Date : October 23, 2007

Plea or Trial and Date(s) : Pled guilty on January 11, 2008

Sentencing Date : May 2, 2008

Next Court Hearing Type and Date : none

Assigned Magistrate Judge : The Honorable David L. Piester

Held without Bond, or Released from Custody :   Released on conditions on January 23, 2008.

In Continuous Custody Since :

Assigned District Court Judge :  The Honorable Richard G. Kopf

Initials of Assigned AUSA/Preparer of THIS Release : SEF