U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal | U.S. Department of Justice
A Des Moines man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl. Luca Joseph Roberts, aged 25, was sentenced on November 8, 2024, following charges related to the distribution of pills containing fentanyl.
Court documents revealed that Roberts supplied these pills to a victim on October 20, 2022. The victim subsequently overdosed and died after using the pills. Law enforcement identified Roberts as the supplier and conducted further purchases from him of similar fentanyl-laced pills.
Upon completing his prison term, Roberts will undergo a five-year supervised release period. It is important to note that there is no parole in the federal system. Additionally, he has been ordered to pay $5,796 in restitution.
The case was prosecuted by United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal from the Southern District of Iowa and investigated by the Des Moines Police Department.
Fentanyl remains a significant concern as it is now the leading cause of drug overdose deaths across the United States. Between 2018 and 2022, fatalities among youth aged 15 to 24 more than doubled due to this substance. Counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl often mimic legitimate pharmaceutical products but contain potentially lethal doses. For more information on this issue, visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website under "One Pill Can Kill."