Esmelin Belloso-Valle, Methamphetamine Distribution, Iowa 2012

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Mexican Woman Sentenced in Methamphetamine Distribution

A federal judge has sentenced Almendra Escobedo-Orozco, 36, of Mexico, to 100 months in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in Nebraska. Escobedo-Orozco will also serve a 2-year term of supervised release after her prison sentence, during which she will be subject to deportation by U.S. immigration authorities.

The investigation into Escobedo-Orozco’s methamphetamine operation began in March 2020, when Omaha Police narcotics investigators received information that Joseph Rauber was distributing the drug and was being supplied by a female associate, later identified as Escobedo-Orozco.

On May 14, 2020, investigators obtained a warrant to search a residence in Omaha frequented by Escobedo-Orozco. Two days later, while executing the warrant, investigators arrested two residents and seized drug ledgers, packaging material, 8,677 grams of marijuana, $4,336.00 in cash, Mexican passports, and various identity documents.

Escobedo-Orozco was stopped driving a minivan and found with two pounds of methamphetamine after leaving the residence. Another residence in Omaha frequented by Escobedo-Orozco was searched, yielding $7,800.00 in cash, a box for a digital scale, and 6 grams of methamphetamine.

On May 28, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at Rauber’s residence in Iowa, finding approximately 83.8 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 3.6 grams of cocaine, 7 long guns, 11 handguns, ammunition, stolen property, digital scales, and $55,035.00 in drug proceeds. The seized currency will be forfeited to the United States.

Rauber, the man who allegedly received the methamphetamine from Escobedo-Orozco, was also convicted and sentenced to 180 months in prison, followed by a 5-year term of supervised release. This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.