Grand Island Man, Elm Creek Woman Sentenced in Federal Court
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Thomas McHenry, 49, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced April 12, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for possession of a firearm by a felon. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced McHenry to 46 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After McHenry’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
In October of 2022, on a report of a disturbance, law enforcement in Grand Island were dispatched to a residence. Upon their arrival, several witnesses identified McHenry as the individual who had brandished a firearm and threatened to kill a family member. McHenry was arrested and it was determined he had numerous prior felony convictions. A search warrant was obtained for the residence and law enforcement found and seized seven firearms and numerous types of ammunition.
This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive national strategy that creates local partnerships with law enforcement agencies to effectively enforce existing gun laws. It provides more options to prosecutors, allowing them to utilize local, state, and federal laws to ensure that criminals who commit gun crime face tough sentences. PSN gives each federal district the flexibility it needs to focus on individual challenges that a specific community faces.
This case was investigated by the Grand Island Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Hallie Deleon, 25, formerly of Elm Creek, Nebraska, was sentenced on April 12, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute meth. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Deleon to 22 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Deleon’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On September 8, 2022, law enforcement stopped a vehicle in Buffalo County, Nebraska. The vehicle had multiple occupants and Deleon was the front seat passenger. Law enforcement found probable cause and searched the vehicle. While searching the vehicle, law enforcement found two firearms, magazines with ammunition, drug paraphernalia, vials with suspected meth residue, a scale, and multiple used and unused baggies. Deleon was arrested, along with the other occupants of the vehicle. At the jail, staff found about an ounce of suspected meth on Deleon’s person.
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.
