Two Arrested in Chase County Narcotics Investigation

January 23, 2025 (North Platte, Neb.)  — Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested two people in southwest Nebraska as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.

Wednesday, investigators served a search warrant at a residence in rural Lamar, in Chase County. The NSP SWAT Team was activated as part of this operation. Both occupants had active warrants for their arrest.

As the SWAT Team made verbal contact with the occupants of the home, both voluntarily exited the residence and were taken into custody. The search of the residence revealed 16 grams of methamphetamine, eight ounces of marijuana, 12 firearms, and two stolen motorcycles.

The male occupant, Kenneth Johnston, 45, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for distribution of a controlled substance, and for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of stolen property, possession of a stolen vehicle, and conspiracy to commit theft. He was lodged in Lincoln County Jail. The female occupant, Lindsey Bartorelli, 39, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for theft and lodged in Chase County Jail.

NSP investigators were assisted by troopers from several divisions of NSP, as well as the CODE Task Force, Imperial Police Department, and Chase County Sheriff’s Office.