A South Sioux City, Nebraska man has been sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison for his role in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy. Joshua Rysavy, 35, pleaded guilty on March 18, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
During the sentencing hearing, evidence was presented that Rysavy participated in distributing about 8.5 pounds of pills containing fentanyl throughout Iowa and Nebraska from 2022 until June 2023. Law enforcement used an undercover officer to buy counterfeit oxycodone pills marked “M30” from Rysavy; these pills contained fentanyl. After these transactions, authorities executed a search warrant at Rysavy’s residence in South Sioux City and found several firearms.
“As a result of this investigation, thousands of lethal doses of fentanyl were removed from the streets of South Sioux City, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa,” Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Rafael Mattei said. “No town in America is immune to this deadly substance and the lethal consequences that can come from its use. We’re grateful for the opportunity to work with our law enforcement partners in both Nebraska and Iowa who strive to achieve the same goal of removing these deadly threats and keeping our communities safe.”
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Rysavy in Sioux City to 86 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release following his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Rysavy remains in United States Marshal’s custody until he is transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, which includes personnel from multiple agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. The OCDETF program targets high-level criminal organizations through coordinated efforts involving multiple agencies led by prosecutors. More information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
