Federal court sentences two Californians to a year and a day in prison for sex trafficking conspiracy

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska reported sentencing updates throughout the week relating to drug trafficking, possession of firearms, and more.

U.S. Attorney Jan Sharp’s office in Omaha reminds the public that there is no parole in the federal system.

Kevin Watson, 43 years old, of Omaha, was sentenced Thursday to seven years for distributing and possessing child pornography. In an investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol, officials said they were able to partially download a torrent file containing child pornography from Watson in April 2020. The statement said he made the children’s pron available for download. Officers seized Watson’s laptop during a search of his home in May 2020 and found at least 12 photos and 15 videos of child pornography. According to the statement, he admitted to having child pornography on his laptop and to using FrostWire and Limewire to find child pornography. It is reported that Watson will have to pay $3,000 in restitution.

Jordan R. Torres, 31, of Omaha, was sentenced Wednesday to a total of 15 years for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking felony. In an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Omaha Field Division and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, authorities learned that Torres was involved in distributing methamphetamine and had a gun while staying at a hotel. They were able to find out where he was staying under surveillance and arrested Torres on an outstanding warrant. It was reported that the warrant was for criminal possession of a financial transaction device. During a search of the hotel room, officials discovered a holster, a Smith & Wesson 9mm, loose ammunition and over 350 grams of methamphetamine.

Christopher Smith, 51 years old, of Omaha, was sentenced Wednesday to approximately 15½ years for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in pursuit of a felony of drug trafficking. In an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Omaha Police Department, Smith was arrested at his home in February 2020 and officials said he was in possession of crack cocaine and more than $1,000. During a search later that day, they discovered approximately 399 grams of methamphetamine, a drug scale, a gun and accomplices. According to the statement, officers also discovered an additional 304 grams of methamphetamine concealed in a car during a search as part of the investigation in March 2020. It is reported that Smith is not authorized to have firearms due to previous convictions for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. and being a criminal in possession of a firearm.

William D. Wilder, 57, of Omaha, was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. In an investigation with Omaha Police, they responded to a 911 trouble call in July 2021 over reports of a person with a gun. According to the statement, Wilder was visibly drunk when they arrived and saw an active situation in the parking lot in front of a business. Officers found a 9mm pistol in his belt when he was detained and they say the pistol was unloaded and had no magazine. Police also found a loaded .22 caliber revolver in his boot. The statement further states that Wilder was convicted in 2019 of felon possession of a firearm and uttering terrorist threats, which is illegal for a convicted felon to have a firearm.

Teriona Freemont, 25 years old, of Macy’s, was sentenced Friday to just over six years for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and unlawful use of a controlled substance while possessing a firearm. In an investigation with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Highway Patrol, United States Secret Service, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Freemont and co- conspirators Pablo Leyva and Chrystian Townsley were heading to Mexico after crossing Nebraska and Arizona in March 2020 on drug trafficking charges. They were arrested in Arizona and officers seized a DB-15 rifle. According to the statement, they drove to Mexico and left the truck there, then walked back to the United States. A few days after leaving for Mexico, they were arrested again in Liberal, Kansas by officers after another person traveled to Arizona to pick them up and return to Nebraska. The officer found five cellophane-wrapped packages collectively containing about four pounds of methamphetamine and 65 fentanyl pills in the car, the statement said. Leyva and Townsley pleaded guilty to multiple counts and were sentenced to a combined total of 35 years.

Allen L. Webster, 42, of Macy’s, was sentenced Friday to more than five years in prison for felony possession of a firearm. In an investigation by the Omaha Police Department, it was reported that Webster had previously been convicted of failing to register as a sex offender and being a felon in possession of a firearm. . According to the statement, a confidential informant identified Webster as someone trying to sell a gun in July 2019. Police said they were able to record a phone call the next day between him and the informant confirming a potential sale in a parking lot in ‘Omaha. The statement further states that officers saw a car driven by Webster pull into a parking lot and speak to the informant, but he did not have the gun and drove off. Webster returned soon after, officials say, and sold a .38 caliber.

John Wong, 61, and Joyce Luo, 49, both of Rowland Heights, Calif., were sentenced to a year and a day in prison on Wednesday for sex trafficking conspiracy. In an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol, it was reported that officials found that Wong and Luo would help women to travel to Nebraska for “commercial prostitution”. Officials say the two ads were placed through a website that would bring customers to Omaha and other cities and that the ads would have a number customers could call and set up an “appointment.” The statement said that when customers called the number associated with the ads, Luo spoke to them and directed them to a hotel to meet a woman. The woman would keep a portion of the profits while depositing a portion in a bank account that officials said was associated with Wong and Luo. The investigation found that more than 5,000 ads were posted in 44 cities, including Omaha, and the two agreed to give up more than $2.6 million in profits to the government as part of the investigation, as well than a 2015 BMW X6. According to the statement, they would use WeChat to communicate with the women, and both facilitate and arrange travel and accommodation. Wong was fined $50,000 and Luo was fined $5,000.

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