Bellevue Dealer Lopez Gets 63 Months for Pills & Pistol

OMAHA, NEBRASKA – Carlos O. Lopez, 29, of Bellevue, Nebraska, is headed to federal prison after receiving a 63-month sentence for peddling Alprazolam pills and illegally possessing a firearm during a drug deal. The sentence, handed down by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher, sends a clear message: dealing drugs and packing heat doesn’t pay in this jurisdiction.

The bust went down January 15, 2020, in Bellevue. Law enforcement watched as Lopez, fueled by greed, unloaded 50 Alprazolam pills – a Schedule IV controlled substance requiring a prescription – along with a loaded Ruger .380 handgun to a confidential informant. The entire transaction was captured on audio and video, leaving no room for Lopez to deny his involvement. He thought he was being slick, but the feds were several steps ahead.

Lopez received 3 months for the distribution of Alprazolam and a heftier 60 months for the firearms charge. These sentences will run consecutively, totaling 63 months behind bars. Forget about early release – there’s no parole in the federal system. Once he’s served his time, Lopez will face another three years of supervised release for each charge, running concurrently. He’ll be watched closely, and any misstep will send him back inside.

United States Attorney Steven Russell made the announcement, emphasizing that this case is a key component of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, all working to drive down violent crime and gun violence. It’s about reclaiming neighborhoods and ensuring public safety, one dealer and one gun at a time.

The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, built on fostering trust within communities, supporting grassroots violence prevention programs, prioritizing enforcement efforts, and rigorously measuring results. This isn’t just about arrests and convictions; it’s about a comprehensive approach to tackling the root causes of crime. Lopez’s case is a direct result of that strategy in action.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with the Omaha Police Department, spearheaded the investigation that brought Lopez down. Their relentless work, combined with the bravery of the confidential informant, ensured that another dangerous individual is off the streets. This case serves as a warning to others: if you choose to traffic drugs and brandish firearms, you will be caught, and you will be held accountable.

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