Honduran man sentenced to 14 months after resisting federal officers with weapon during search warrant operation
Omaha, Nebraska – A Honduran national has been sentenced to federal prison after a confrontation with law enforcement officers during the execution of a court-authorized search warrant in Omaha, Nebraska.
Marvin Aleman Zepeda, 37, originally of Honduras, was sentenced on March 13, 2026, in federal court in Omaha following his December 16, 2025 jury trial conviction. He was found guilty of forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with a federal officer.
Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Zepeda to 14 months in federal prison. Officials confirmed that there is no parole in the federal system, and once his sentence is complete, Zepeda will be removed to Honduras by immigration authorities.
Standoff During Search Warrant Execution
According to evidence presented at trial, the incident took place on June 10, 2025, when law enforcement officers, including Deputy United States Marshals, were assisting with a civil search warrant at Glenn Valley Foods in Omaha.
During the operation, officers discovered Zepeda hiding inside a crawl space. Authorities repeatedly ordered him to come out and surrender, but he refused to comply with commands.
After more than 30 minutes of unsuccessful attempts to gain compliance, two Deputy U.S. Marshals entered the crawl space to take him into custody. As they approached and instructed him to show his hands, Zepeda escalated the situation by arming himself with a box cutter or utility knife with an open blade.
The situation became more tense as officers continued efforts to bring him into custody safely. Law enforcement deployed additional measures, including the presence of a K9 officer and a K9 unit, in an attempt to resolve the standoff.
Despite these efforts, Zepeda continued to resist. In total, it took nearly 90 minutes for officers to successfully secure him and end the confrontation.
Court Decision and Aftermath
At sentencing, Zepeda requested a time-served sentence, but the court declined that request. Instead, the judge imposed the 14-month prison term, reflecting the seriousness of the offense and the risks posed to law enforcement officers during the incident.
The case involved coordination among multiple agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Marshals Service, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in securing Zepeda during the operation.
Officials say the case highlights the dangers officers can face while carrying out lawful duties, especially when individuals refuse to comply and escalate situations with weapons.
With the sentence now in place, Zepeda will remain in federal custody until he completes his term, after which he will be deported to Honduras, closing a case that began with a prolonged and dangerous standoff inside a workplace crawl space.
