Man sentenced for bringing meth to Lincoln on Amtrak train

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Lincoln man will spend a decade in federal prison for bringing drugs home with him on Amtrak.

Matthew Eriksen, 45, was sentenced Thursday to 10 years and one month for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture and a detectable amount of marijuana.

Authorities received a tip that Eriksen was transporting drugs from Denver to Lincoln, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

So they were waiting for him in December 2023, when his train rolled into town.

SEE ALSO: Man caught with 5 pounds of meth after getting off train in Lincoln, affidavit says

Officers approached Eriksen and his girlfriend as they got off the train, each carrying multiple pieces of luggage.

The girlfriend admitted that she had a little marijuana in her purse, authorities said.

Police said they also searched her other bags and found about one-fourth of an ounce of meth and drug paraphernalia.

Eriksen denied having drugs in his luggage, but law enforcement used a search warrant to find about five pounds of a meth mixture, marijuana, plastic bags and a scale.

When he is out of prison, Eriksen will serve a five-year term of supervised release.