Investigation Into Drug Package Leads to Two Arrests

An investigation into packages containing illegal drugs being sent to Fairbury has resulted in the arrest of two residents. Both were arraigned in Jefferson County this week.According to an Affidavit of Probable Cause, the Nebraska State Patrol recently became aware of an address in Fairbury may be involved with receiving packages of controlled substances and began an investigation. On March 12, 2026, law enforcement located and seized a suspicious package at a commercial shipping facility in Omaha, shipped from Las Vegas, Nevada. The package was addressed to a Fairbury residence.The package was opened pursuant to a search warrant granted by a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Law enforcement searched the package and, according to the affidavit, located approximately 38 grams of suspected methamphetamine in a plastic baggie. A pretest was conducted of the suspected methamphetamine, which yielded a positive result for the presence of methamphetamine.Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol then applied for and were granted an anticipatory search warrant of the residence in Fairbury upon someone receiving the package during a controlled delivery of this package at that address. At approximately 2:40 p.m., the package was delivered to the Fairbury address by an undercover law enforcement officer, and an occupant of the residence, whom investigators determined to be Gary A. Ingrao, age 45, reportedly exited the door of the residence, retrieved the package, and went back inside.Investigators then served the search warrant and Ingrao was taken into custody.Another suspect, Leslie A. Hobaugh, age 56, resides at the residence but was found at a different location and taken into custody. The suspects were arraigned in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.Ingrao and Hobaugh are each charged with possession of methamphetamine. The amount makes the charge a class 1C felony punishable by five to 50 years in prison. They are also charged with possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison sentence, one year of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine.Because the charges are felonies, the defendants have the right to a preliminary hearing to determined sufficient evidence exists to charge them with felonies. Ingrao waived his right to a preliminary hearing and the case was bound over to district court.Hobaugh requested a preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for April 15, 2026.Ingrao remains in custody as of press time, with a bond of $100,000 (10 percent). Hobaugh is free on a $75,000 (10 percent) bond. Both defendants have prior criminal histories.On December 10, 2020, Hobaugh was sentenced to seven months of probation after pleading guilty to possession of a controlled substance, class 4 felony.On June 3, 2021, Hobaugh’s probation as revoked and she was resentenced to 14 months in prison. On January 20, 2021, Ingrao was sentenced in Gage County District Court to 36 months of probation after pleading no contest to possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony. His probation as later revoked and he was resentenced to 18 months in prison.On June 16, 2021, Ingrao was sentenced in Gage County District Court to three years in prison for possession of alprazolam (commonly known by the brand name Xanax- a schedule 4 drug), a class 3A felony, and two years for possession of the possession of money used to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, a class 4 felony.

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