New Evidence Links Shooting to Drug Trafficking

(July 2, 2024)

The Omaha Police Department has released new information that connects two men killed by off-duty police officers outside a South Omaha club, with drug trafficking.

Investigators have identified a direct link between the two men, 28-year-old Jonathan Hernandez-Rosales and 26-year-old Fernando Rodriguez-Juarez and the presence of illicit narcotics activities in Omaha being traced back to Mexico.

A search of the car driven by Hernandez-Rosales and Rodriguez-Juarez on the night of the incident in February, discovered $23,333 in cash and distribution quantities of cocaine concealed within a hidden compartment inside the car, consistent with illegal narcotics trafficking. Cars are not legally allowed to be sold with hidden compartments in the United States.

"Through meticulous intelligence-gathering and collaboration with federal agencies, we have disrupted significant drug trafficking operations," said Police Chief Todd Schmaderer. "Our ongoing efforts reflect our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community and continued thorough officer-involved investigation follow-up."

This investigation has resulted in the following actions:

Execution of a series of search warrants leading to the seizure of significant quantities of narcotics intended for distribution

Confiscation of large sums of cash related to illegal narcotics sales

Multiple local arrests

Identified networks and individuals affiliated with transnational organized crime

Identified multiple individuals currently subject to ongoing federal, state, and local law enforcement investigations

Felony arrest warrants issued for two distributors who have left the region, initiating a joint investigation with the Drug Enforcement Administration

Video evidence collected after the shooting outside Extasis Night Club at 30^th and L showed Rodriguez-Juarez and Hernandez-Rosales inside the bar just before 2:00 a.m. February 4^th. Exterior video then showed a crowd outside in the parking lot and a physical altercation that included Rodriguez-Juarez and Hernandez-Rosales.

Omaha Police Captain Jay Leavitt and Officer Robert Soldo, both working off-duty at the club, were attempting to break up the crowd and clear the lot. Rodriguez-Juarez and Hernandez- Rosales are seen getting into a Jeep Cherokee and leaving the area. Video shows the driver returning to the parking lot, and Rodriguez-Juarez leaning across the front passenger seat of the vehicle, and firing a gun out the passenger window into the group of bar patrons and the officers. A video recording from a nearby laundromat confirms one shot was fired from the Jeep, the officers then fired a total of 21 shots. A semi-automatic handgun was found on the floor of the Jeep, one casing matching the gun was also found in the vehicle.

Chief Schmaderer said both men were in the United States illegally, one from Mexico, the other from Nicaragua.

A grand jury will also investigate the incident, as required by state law.

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