OMAHA, Neb. — Four individuals were sentenced in federal court last week on charges ranging from large-scale drug trafficking and firearms offenses to Social Security fraud, according to court records. Federal sentences do not allow for parole.
Felix Cruz, 35, of Fresno, California, was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He will also serve five years of supervised release. Investigators said Cruz sold a pound of methamphetamine to a cooperating witness in April 2024. After a brief foot chase the following day, Cruz admitted to trafficking multiple pounds of meth for a Mexican drug trafficking organization.
Jason Pemberton, 51, of Omaha, received a 300-month federal prison sentence followed by 10 years of supervised release for his role in a meth distribution conspiracy. Authorities said Pemberton fled police at speeds exceeding 110 mph in January 2024 and discarded a backpack containing 11 pounds of methamphetamine. A search of his home later uncovered an additional 32 pounds of meth and drug distribution materials. Investigators said Pemberton was linked to a Mexican drug trafficking organization.
Kadonta Muldrew, 31, of Omaha, was sentenced to 235 months in prison and eight years of supervised release after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. FBI agents recovered nearly 2,000 fentanyl pills, more than $124,000 in cash, and four firearms during searches of multiple locations.
In a separate case, Romeo Edilzar Yaxcal-Tiul, 26, of Guatemala, was sentenced to two consecutive one-year prison terms for falsely representing a Social Security number and resisting a federal officer. He will also serve two years of supervised release and will be deported to Guatemala following his release. Court documents state Yaxcal-Tiul used fraudulent identification while working at an Omaha restaurant and injured an officer while attempting to flee during his 2025 arrest.
