Executive Summary
- FBI Omaha reported 548 arrests and over 900 search warrants in 2025, a 20% increase over 2024.
- A major operation dismantled a human trafficking ring in Omaha, resulting in the rescue of 10 minors.
- Agents arrested an MS-13 leader in Grand Island linked to a quadruple homicide in Honduras.
- 54 members of Tren de Aragua were indicted for crimes including cyber intrusion and terrorist support.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Omaha field office reported a significant surge in operational activity for the year 2025, documenting a 20 percent increase in arrests and executed court orders compared to the previous year. The data, released by field office leadership, highlights a focus on violent crime, human trafficking, and transnational criminal organizations operating within Nebraska and Iowa.
Eugene Kowel, Special Agent in Charge of the Omaha field office, confirmed that agents made 548 arrests and executed over 900 search warrants throughout 2025. Kowel attributed the statistical rise to strengthened partnerships with local, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies. These collaborations allowed federal authorities to pool resources and address complex criminal conspiracies more effectively.
Among the significant cases detailed in the report was the dismantling of a human trafficking ring operating out of hotels in the Omaha area. According to Kowel, the operation involved coordination with 13 partner agencies and 300 law enforcement personnel. The raid resulted in the arrest of five individuals and the rescue of 10 minor children from labor trafficking conspiracies.
The agency also targeted transnational gang activity with impacts reaching beyond the Midwest. Kowel reported that the FBI SWAT team apprehended a leader of MS-13 in Grand Island, Nebraska. The suspect was allegedly part of an assassination squad in Honduras and was implicated in a quadruple homicide. Furthermore, a separate investigation led to the indictment of 54 members of Tren de Aragua. Charges in that case included cyber intrusions of ATM machines nationwide and material support for a designated terrorist organization.
Public Safety & Investigative Outlook
The substantial increase in federal arrests suggests an intensified enforcement strategy targeting high-impact crimes rather than a mere statistical anomaly. By focusing on dismantling the logistical frameworks of groups like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, the FBI is addressing threats that pose direct risks to community safety and national security. The reliance on inter-agency cooperation underscores the complexity of modern criminal networks, which often transcend state and national borders. As these prosecutions move forward, the legal focus will likely shift to the admissibility of evidence gathered during the 900-plus search warrants executed. It is important to note that all individuals charged in these investigations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
