OMAHA, NE – Prince L. Spellman, 39, of Omaha, is facing decades behind bars after a federal jury convicted him of a slew of drug and firearm charges. U.S. District Judge Brian C. Buescher delivered the sentence today: 450 months in federal prison – 37 and a half years – with no possibility of parole, followed by five years of supervised release. Spellman’s criminal history paints a clear picture of a man repeatedly choosing the path of violence and drug dealing.
The case unfolded after Omaha police responded to a ShotSpotter alert on March 8, 2021, near 2877 Fort Street. Officers spotted a silver Jeep Cherokee matching descriptions provided by 911 callers reporting shots fired. While initial information wasn’t enough for a stop, the vehicle’s license plate was recorded. The investigation led police back to 5628 N. 29th Street, where they recovered 9mm bullet casings and gathered witness statements confirming the Jeep’s involvement.
The break came the following night. An Omaha Police Department gang unit detective, patrolling in an unmarked vehicle near 40 Bedford Avenue, observed the same Jeep Cherokee. A traffic stop was initiated at a McDonald’s restaurant on 30 Taylor Street. Inside, officers found a Tanfoglio Witness P-Compact 9mm handgun in plain view on the floorboard behind the driver’s seat. Spellman, at the wheel, was quickly searched.
The search revealed more than just a weapon. Officers discovered a vial of PCP hidden in Spellman’s groin, a bag containing approximately 55 grams of cocaine, and a bottle filled with 100 blue pills stamped “M” – later confirmed to be fentanyl. The recovery of the firearm was particularly damning. Investigators determined through ballistics testing that the gun recovered from the Jeep Cherokee was the same one used during the March 8th shooting.
Spellman’s rap sheet is extensive. Prior felony convictions in Douglas County District Court include Robbery, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Impersonation, and Strangulation. He also has a prior federal conviction for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. This isn’t a first-time offender; it’s a career criminal who has repeatedly demonstrated a disregard for the law and the safety of others. The lengthy sentence reflects the severity of his crimes and the danger he poses to the community.
This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws. The program focuses on coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local authorities to prosecute gun crimes and share critical information, particularly when a prohibited individual attempts to illegally purchase a firearm. The Attorney General launched Project Guardian in the fall of 2019, building on previous successful programs designed to take dangerous criminals and weapons off the streets.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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