LINCOLN, NEBRASKA – Alejandro Alvarado, 24, is facing a long stretch behind bars after being sentenced to 210 months – that’s seventeen and a half years – in federal prison for possessing a machine gun and using it to fuel a dangerous cocktail of drug trafficking and violent crime. U.S. Attorney Steven Russell announced the sentence handed down by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard on February 2, 2023, in Lincoln. Judge Gerrard didn’t pull punches, citing Alvarado’s “littered” past of violence as a key factor in the harsh sentence. And for those thinking about an early release? Forget it. There’s no parole in the federal system.
The investigation peeled back layers of criminal activity, revealing Alvarado wasn’t just holding onto illegal hardware. He was actively trafficking in Glock switches – the devices that turn ordinary handguns into fully automatic machine guns – bringing them across state lines from Kansas into Nebraska. This wasn’t a hobby; it was a business built on turning firearms into instruments of rapid destruction. Worse still, one of those modified weapons ended up in the hands of a known member of the Trip Set gang, and ballistics confirmed it was used in a Lincoln homicide. Alvarado’s actions didn’t just put a machine gun on the street; they directly contributed to a man’s death.
But the machine gun and the homicide weren’t the full extent of Alvarado’s schemes. He was also cooking up plans for home invasions across Lincoln, conspiring with others to target residents and likely steal whatever they could get their hands on. The feds caught wind of this plot before it could be put into action, adding another serious charge to the pile. When authorities finally moved in to arrest Alvarado, they found him not only in possession of the machine gun but also a “distributable amount” of marijuana and a stash of M30 pills laced with fentanyl – a deadly opioid that’s fueling the overdose crisis nationwide.
The sentencing sends a clear message: bringing illegal weapons into Nebraska, especially those capable of unleashing a hail of bullets, will be met with severe consequences. The case underscores the dangerous connection between gun trafficking, drug dealing, and gang violence, a toxic combination that plagues communities across the country. Alvarado’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for public safety and a willingness to profit from the misery of others.
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents and the Lincoln Police Department worked tirelessly on this investigation, piecing together the evidence and building a case that ultimately led to Alvarado’s conviction and lengthy prison sentence. Their collaborative effort highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in combating complex criminal networks. After serving his 210-month sentence, Alvarado will face an additional five years of supervised release, a period where his movements and activities will be closely monitored.
This case serves as a stark reminder that the consequences for engaging in illegal gun trafficking and violent crime are severe. While Alvarado may have thought he could operate in the shadows, law enforcement was watching, and now he’s paying the price. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on other instances of federal crime impacting communities across the nation.
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Key Facts
- State: Nebraska
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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