Illegal Alien Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearm Offenses

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Alexi Zamora-Chona, 30, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced on May 19, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a short-barreled rifle in furtherance of drug trafficking. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Zamora-Chona to a total of 192 months' imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Zamora-Chona's release from prison, he will begin a four-year term of supervised release.

On November 21, 2024, DEA agents and local law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence in Omaha where Zamora-Chona and co-defendant Octavio Zamora-Chona lived. Probable cause for the search warrant was based on a controlled buy of half a pound of methamphetamine in Omaha. Agents recovered more than 30 pounds of methamphetamine, five firearms, and more than $19,000 cash. One of the firearms was a short-barreled rifle. Zamora-Chona said that the firearms were his and acknowledged that he knew the methamphetamine was at his house. Octavio Zamora-Chona's seized cell phone was searched and extracted data revealed his involvement in methamphetamine dealing.

Octavio Zamora-Chona, 39, an illegal alien from Mexican, was sentenced February 13, 2026, to 180 months' imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

United States Attorney Lesley Woods said, "This case is a prime example of how drug trafficking and firearms go hand-in-hand and the presence of them together is a public safety threat to Nebraska's communities. This sentencing was a just and appropriate outcome. Law enforcement should be commended for taking these individuals and their dangerous contraband off of our streets. We look forward to their swift deportation following their lengthy terms of imprisonment."

The seized cash and firearms will be forfeited to the United States.

This case was investigated by the DEA with assistance from the Omaha Police Department, Sarpy County Sheriff's Office, and Saunders County Sheriff's Office.