Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Marcquece R. Petties, 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 16, 2023, by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to a total of 188 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Petties entered pleas of guilty in October 2022 to Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana and to False Statement During Purchase of Firearm (straw purchase). Petties also previously forfeited $6,310 cash, a gold Rolex watch, a diamond encrusted necklace and a 2019 Audi Q8 vehicle, all of which were seized by law enforcement as proceeds of drug trafficking.

During approximately May 2019 to October 2021, Petties conspired with others to distribute at least 400 kilograms but less than 700 kilograms of marijuana. During August 2020 to March 2021, Petties also arranged for a confederate to purchase three handguns for him. Petties could not legally possess a firearm because he was a convicted felon. At sentencing, Petties was determined to be a Career Offender under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, due to his previous convictions for a felony crime of violence and drug trafficking.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Omaha Police Department.