Shawn Smith, Heroin and Methamphetamine Conspiracy, Nebraska 2021

Shawn Smith and Justin Cotten Sentenced for Heroin and Methamphetamine Conspiracy

Omaha, Nebraska – In a shocking turn of events, two Omaha men have been sentenced for their roles in a large-scale heroin and methamphetamine conspiracy.

The investigation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and United States Postal Inspection Service, began on January 30, 2020, when the United States Postal Inspection Service alerted the Drug Enforcement Administration of a suspicious package destined for an address in Blair, Nebraska.

The address was known to investigators to be associated with Shawn Smith, 45, and Justin Cotten, 47, both of Omaha, Nebraska.

On February 1, 2020, U.S. Postal Inspection Service obtained and executed a search warrant for the package and discovered approximately 166 gross grams of suspected heroin and approximately 352 gross grams of suspected methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Smith and Cotten were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Smith to 60 months’ imprisonment on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Cotten was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently.

There is no parole in the federal system, meaning that upon completion of their prison sentences, Smith and Cotten will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.

Shawn Smith, 45, and Justin Cotten, 47, both of Omaha, Nebraska, were sentenced on November 29, 2021, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

The investigation into the heroin and methamphetamine conspiracy was a joint effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and United States Postal Inspection Service.

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