A Yankton man has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl that resulted in serious bodily injury to one of his customers.
Matthew Williams, 33, was sentenced on July 7, 2025, by U.S. District Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange. He was also ordered to pay a special assessment of $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and serve four years of supervised release after his prison term.
The conviction stems from an incident on March 17, 2022, when Williams intentionally distributed a pill containing fentanyl to one of his drug customers. The victim ingested the pill and overdosed, but paramedics were able to administer Narcan and save the victim’s life.
Williams was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2023 and pleaded guilty to the charges on April 2, 2025. The case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department, and Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.
Williams was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after his sentencing. The severity of the sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and the potential consequences of distributing fentanyl, a highly potent and deadly opioid.
While the victim in this case was fortunate to have received timely medical attention, many others are not as lucky. Fentanyl overdoses can be fatal, and the distribution of this substance poses a significant threat to public safety.
The sentencing of Matthew Williams serves as a reminder of the dangers of fentanyl and the consequences of distributing it. It also highlights the importance of law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute cases involving the distribution of this deadly substance.
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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