Grand Island man gets 20-year sentence for meth trafficking
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Grand Island man will spend two decades in federal prison for his role in a meth ring.
Lonnie Mason, 42, was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years and 10 months for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
After prison, he will spend the rest of his life on supervised release.
On Jan. 30, 2024, authorities said Mason and Jolene Armentrout flew from Omaha to Los Angeles, where they bought 25 pounds of meth.
They then met up with two other co-conspirators, Robert Burkhardt and Stephanie Cummings, in Las Vegas.
Mason and Cummings flew back to Nebraska, while Armentrout and Burkhardt transported the meth in Mason’s car.
SEE ALSO: Grand Island woman gets prison for transporting meth from California to Nebraska
On Feb. 4, Armentrout and Burkhardt arrived in Grand Island, but before they could get to Mason’s apartment, they were pulled over.
Investigators discovered the meth in a hidden compartment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
They then went to Mason’s apartment, where authorities said they found even more meth, a stolen rifle and ammunition.
SEE ALSO: Authorities find ‘sizable’ amount of meth, stolen gun at Grand Island apartment
Mason’s sentence is the longest of all the co-defendants’ terms.
Cummings got nine years, Armentrout received seven years and 10 months, and Burkhardt was sentenced to four years and nine months.
