Geneva man gets 15 years in prison for meth charges

GENEVA, Neb. -- A Geneva man was sentenced Friday to 15 years in prison for methamphetamine charges. 

The U.S. Attorney announced that 51-year-old Kurt D. Heckenliable was sentenced in federal court in Lincoln.

The U.S. District Judge sentenced Heckenliable to 15 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of meth mixture and 50 grams or more actual meth.

Heckenliable faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years before the conviction for delivery and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in York County District Court.

After serving his sentence, Heckenliable will be placed on supervised release for 10 years. There is no parole in the federal system.

Court documents said that on Sept. 22, 2021, state troopers responded to a single motorcycle accident near Mead.

At the scene, Heckenliable was identified as the driver of the motorcycle, and he received medical attention at the roadside and later at a hospital.

During the accident response, law enforcement said they noticed suspected meth on the ground near the motorcycle.

Troopers then searched the motorcycle and found more meth.

In total, about four kilograms of lab confirmed meth were seized from Heckenliable’s motorcycle. Some of that meth was tested for purity and determined to be at least 96% pure.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Saunders County Sheriff’s Office.