North Platte Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Luke H. Schwartz, age 44, of North Platte, was sentenced on September 5, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Schwartz to a total of 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Schwartz’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

Between July 2022 and February 2023, Schwartz and others conspired to sell meth around North Platte.  The group was responsible for the distribution of pounds of meth.  During January 2023, Schwartz and other co-defendants were responsible for the sales of a minimum of 106 grams of meth actual to a confidential informant (CI) working with law enforcement.

Schwartz was directly involved in two sales in January 2023, which involved at least 70 grams of actual meth.  During the first sale, the CI set up the controlled buy with Schwartz.  Law enforcement provided the CI with $600 to purchase an ounce of meth.  The CI went to the pre-arranged buy location and provided Schwartz the money in exchange for a baggie containing a white crystalline substance.  The State Crime Lab confirmed the substance to be at least 22 grams of actual meth.

The same CI set up a second buy from Schwartz.  Law enforcement provided the CI with $1,200 to purchase two ounces of meth.  The CI met up with Schwartz at a pre-determined location for buy to occur.  The CI gave Schwartz the money and Schwartz gave the CI a baggie containing a white crystalline substance.  The State Crime Lab confirmed the substance to be at least 48 grams of meth actual.

This case was investigated by the Tri-City Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT). TRIDENT is a task force with law enforcement personnel from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Hastings Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Kearney Police Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol.