A Nebraska man sentenced to 15 years on drug charges stemming from a Hastings traffic stop.
On Wednesday, Douglas Schmidt, 40, of Nebraska was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a four-year term of supervised release.
On April 20, 2021, Hastings Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle where Schmidt was a passenger. Schmidt’s co-defendant, Raquel Bloom, was the driver, and Schmidt initially said his name was “Doug Wilson” but was later identified.
Schmidt was detained on an active warrant out of Merrick County.
Law enforcement could smell a marijuana odor coming from a backpack from behind the driver’s seat.
Bloom claimed the backpack was Schmidt’s. A search of the backpack located 426 grams of methamphetamine, 80 grams of marijuana, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia.
Bloom has pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy and is scheduled for sentencing on May 17, 2023.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Hastings Police Department.
