Nebraska Man to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Meth Distribution in Iowa

Chad Billheimer, 48, from Wayne, Nebraska, was sentenced on March 4, 2026, in federal court to 180 months' imprisonment.

Billheimer pled guilty October 6, 2025, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession and aiding and abetting another in the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Billheimer was involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than 2500 grams of meth from 2022 through November 2024. On November 9, 2024, Billheimer was stopped by Sioux City law enforcement for driving the wrong way on a one-way street. During the traffic stop a K-9 alerted on the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a firearm, a 9mm handgun, (later determined to be stolen) from a backpack in the backseat and about two ounces of methamphetamine. Billheimer admitted to dealing over 5 pounds of methamphetamine obtained from a source of supply in Nebraska that he further distributed in Iowa and Nebraska. Billheimer further admitted that he acquired the firearm prior to dealing drugs but now had the handgun to protect himself when he was dealing methamphetamine. Billheimer was previously convicted of driving under the influence, third offense in Nebraska in 2009, a felony, which prohibits him from possessing any firearm.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Billheimer to 180 months' imprisonment and he must serve a five-year term of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Billheimer remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff's Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney's Office.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.plLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

The case file number is 25-4008. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.