Hastings Woman Sentenced to More Than 26 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Gun Charge

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Sonia Martinez, 41, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced on April 2, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and one count of using, carrying, or possessing a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Martinez to a total of 322 months' imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Martinez's release from prison, she will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.

Between January 24, 2024, and March 23, 2024, CODE and TRIDENT task forces coordinated eight controlled buys of methamphetamine from Martinez and Andrew Juarez. Four of the controlled buys also involved purchasing 6 firearms. The controlled buys were coordinated by a third party and an undercover officer. The State Patrol Crime Lab confirmed at least 470 grams of methamphetamine actual and at least 450 grams of methamphetamine mixture from the eight controlled buys in total.

Co-defendant Jaurez was sentenced to a total of 230 months' imprisonment and a 5-year term of supervised release on January 8, 2026, by United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis.

This case was investigated by the TRIDENT and CODE Task Forces which is made up of law enforcement agencies throughout a 22-county area in west-central/southwest Nebraska and includes the North Platte Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff's Office, Ogallala Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations.