Nebraska Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy

South Sioux City, NE – Joshua Rysavy, a 35-year-old resident of South Sioux City, Nebraska, was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl across Iowa and Nebraska.

Rysavy’s sentence of 86 months came after he entered a guilty plea on March 18, 2025, for conspiracy to distribute the deadly substance. Evidence presented at his sentencing hearing revealed that Rysavy was involved in distributing approximately 8.5 pounds of fentanyl-laden pills between 2022 and June 2023.

The investigation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division, included an undercover officer who purchased counterfeit oxycodone pills from Rysavy, marked “M30” but containing fentanyl. A search warrant executed at Rysavy’s residence resulted in the seizure of several firearms.

“As a result of this investigation, thousands of lethal doses of fentanyl were removed from our streets,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Rafael Mattei. “No town is immune to the dangers of this substance.”

Rysavy was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand and must also serve a three-year term of supervised release following his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood, with the case investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force, involving multiple law enforcement agencies from both Nebraska and Iowa. This operation was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations.

RELATED: Stockton Meth Ringleader Gets 16 Years

RELATED: Lincoln Man Gets 10-Year Sentence for Meth Distribution