Meth Ring Detailed; Man Still Critical
Omaha, NE -- A drug suspect shot by an Omaha police officer remains in critical condition. KMTV Action 3 News is also learning more about, what police call, a significant dent in the meth distribution in Omaha.
Police surrounded the SUV that Jennifer Lovings and Jason Welch were sitting in at the Walgreens parking lot near 50th & Center St. Friday night. Officers tried to arrest the two as part of a meth ring bust. An undercover officer shot and wounded Welch when he believed Welch was reaching for a gun. The two suspects took off. Police later found the SUV at 48th & H St. Welch was inside, and was taken to the hospital. Over the weekend Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer confirmed, neither suspect was armed.
"Based on the circumstances that he provided and the account that he provided, I do feel it is justified at this time. We are continuing to investigate though," Chief Schmaderer explained.
Authorities called for the publics help locating Jennifer Lovings. She turned herself in on Sunday. Kevin Suing said he spoke with his daughter, Jennifer Lovings, before she turned herself in.
“Her ramming the police cars was false,” Suing explained. "And with Jason, firing up on Jason Welch was uncalled for, period. I believe he dropped a cigarette and reached down to get it and that was the end of it."
Authorities revealed that Lovings and Welch were connected to a major drug bust that included 6 other arrests. Eighteen-year-old Danielle Alberto, 23-year-old Armondoo Gomez, 25-year-old Alexander Studer, 27-year-old Rachel Galvan, 21-year-old Marcial Corona, and 30-year-old Jesus Gomez were booked for Criminal Conspiracy, and Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
Police served a search warrant at 65th & Wirt St. and seized 11 pounds of meth with a street value of $500,000, 3 handguns, 3 bullet proof vests, and $95,000. Prosecutors say 30-year-old Jesus Gomez was the central person supplying meth to people in Omaha and 21-year-old Marcial Corona was his 2nd in command. Monday, a judge set their bond at $500,000. All other suspects who had a bond hearing on Monday received a bond of $150,000 or more. Suing says he didn't know about his daughter's alleged drug activity.
"Jennifer more or less took care of me, and I stayed out of her personal affairs,” Suing noted. "We just hope she gets her life together."
All suspects that were booked on a Conspiracy drug charge faces 20 years to life in prison. Lovings is expected to be in court Tuesday.
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