Four people in central Nebraska will spend time in federal prison in separate drug-related cases.

Officials said Derek Hartford, 33, of Grand Island was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years behind bars for possession of meth and marijuana with intent to distribute.

In August of 2020, investigators searched Hartford's home and found drug packaging paraphernalia, 13 grams of meth and pot.

They said he was arrested and more drugs and cash were found in his car.

He admitted that he had been selling meth, and had a prior conviction of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

In a separate case, Jorge Sardinas, 49, of Hastings was sentenced last week to 10 years in prison for distribution of meth.

In 2021, Sardinas sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Hastings on two occasions.

During a traffic stop in Hastings last July, investigators found two small vials of methamphetamine weighing a total of 11.54 grams. At the time he committed these offenses, Sardinas had a prior conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

In another drug-related case, Robbie Rodriguez, 36, of Grand Island sentenced to six years in prison for possession of meth with intent to distribute.

Authorities said they were alerted to Rodriguez’s residence after they received information of possible child abuse.

Officers obtained a search warrant for the home and found evidence of drug distribution including nine grams of pure methamphetamine, marijuana, a scale, packaging material and other items of drug paraphernalia. Officers also found a 25 caliber pistol.

In a separate case, Alicia Elliott, 32, of Holdrege was sentenced last week to five years in prison for distribution of meth.

Authorities said in November of 2018, a confidential informant purchased methamphetamine from Elliott twice. During the first purchase, the informant purchased 14.4 grams of methamphetamine from defendant in Kearney.

A week later, the informant purchased 25.8 grams of methamphetamine from defendant in Elm Creek.