Chelsea Leigh Short, Methamphetamine Conspiracy, Nebraska 2020

Omaha, Nebraska - Chelsea Leigh Short, 28, of Omaha, Nebraska, has been sentenced to 132 months for her role in a methamphetamine conspiracy.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Chelsea Leigh Short was sentenced on November 16, 2020 by Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Chelsea Leigh Short, the wife of David Short, was a key player in the conspiracy, which began in mid-2018. A Drug Enforcement Administration task force started investigating the methamphetamine distribution operation of David Short in the Omaha metro area.

The investigation included a court-ordered Title III interception of phone calls and text messages, allowing agents to identify the scope of the conspiracy and its members. Chelsea Leigh Short was intercepted on numerous occasions buying and selling pound quantities of methamphetamine.

On December 8, 2018, DEA agents and officers with the Omaha Police Department attempted to arrest Chelsea Leigh Short after she picked up a ½ pound of methamphetamine. Chelsea Leigh Short fled in her vehicle leading to a pursuit. OPD's air unit, Able 1, followed Chelsea Leigh Short into Iowa and back where she was eventually stopped with the methamphetamine.

Congressman Joe Kelly stated that this case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.

The case was investigated by the DEA, OPD, Nebraska State Patrol, IRS's Criminal Investigations, and the Pottawattamie County (Iowa) Sheriff's Office. The case is still active with trial for David Short set for January 5, 2021 in Omaha, Nebraska.

There is no parole in the federal system. Chelsea Leigh Short received a 5-year term of supervised release to follow her prison sentence. The total sentence is 132 months.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/omaha-woman-sentenced-132-months-methamphetamine-conspiracy