Olen Warner, Ernesto Leyva, Drug Trafficking, Nebraska 2025

Two Lincoln men have been convicted of drug trafficking charges after a federal jury in Lincoln, Nebraska, returned a guilty verdict on April 24, 2025.

Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen announced that Olen Warner, age 51, and Ernesto Leyva, age 36, both of Lincoln, were found guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, fentanyl analogue, and heroin.

The verdict subjects Warner to a potential prison term of up to life and a minimum of ten years for one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and fentanyl analogue and one count of distribution of a mixture or substance containing any fentanyl analogue and a mixture of substance containing fentanyl.

The verdict subjects Leyva to a potential prison term of up to life and a minimum of ten years for one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, fentanyl analogue, and heroin.

Olen Warner was involved in drug trafficking meth and fentanyl in Lincoln and the District of Nebraska, since at least October 2019. Ernesto Leyva was involved in the distribution of fentanyl, pills and powder, and heroin in the Lincoln area since 2021. He also trafficked in meth.

The three began working together in earnest shortly after co-defendant Danna Hespen, who had pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge, got out of jail in November of 2022. Phone records show that the trio was working together by December 2022.

From December 2022 until July 2023, the three worked together to sell meth, fentanyl, and heroin. Warner brought meth and fentanyl from Colorado to Hespen, Leyva, and others in Lincoln to distribute. Over the course of the conspiracy, Warner brought pounds of meth and thousands of M30 pills to Lincoln for Hespen and Leyva to sell.

Warner made trips to Colorado about once a week to pick up the drugs for Hespen and Leyva. Hespen and Leyva were dating and were often involved in transactions together. Hespen sold most of the meth and Leyva sold most of the M30 pills. They made sales together and occasionally sold each other’s product on the other’s behalf.

United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis presided over the trial and set sentencing as to both defendants for July 17, 2025.

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