Hawkeye Reporter

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, it was revealed that Rysavy participated in distributing about 8.5 pounds of pills containing fentanyl throughout Iowa and Nebraska from 2022 until June 2023. The investigation involved an undercover officer who purchased counterfeit oxycodone pills marked “M30” from Rysavy; these pills actually contained fentanyl. After these transactions, law enforcement 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,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Rafael Mattei. “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.”

Rysavy was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand in Sioux City to 86 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

He remains in custody with the United States Marshals Service until he is transferred to a federal prison.

The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood. The case was investigated by multiple agencies working as part of the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, including 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 case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at identifying and dismantling major criminal organizations using coordinated efforts among various agencies. More information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.