Deshler man indicted on federal meth, weapons charges

DESHLER, NE — The federal government is picking up the case against a southeast Nebraska man accused of stockpiling drugs and weapons.

60-year-old Robert Dankemeyer of Deshler was charged with a two-count indictment in U.S. District Court last week. He is charged with intent to distribute meth and being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, Dankemeyer could face up to life in prison.

The charges date back to June of last year when Dankemeyer was arrested after police say he threatened people with a gun outside of a bar.  Later, the Thayer County Sheriff’s Office searched his house and car and found one pound of meth, drug paraphernalia, drug manufacturing tools, at least nine guns, explosive materials and an armor vest.

The State charged Dankemeyer with 10 felonies, the most severe of which were the same as the two federal charges. Thayer County Attorney Dan Werner says he plans to dismiss the state charges once Dankemeyer is transferred to federal custody.