U.S. Attorney Susan T. Lehr | U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Rafael Magana, a 31-year-old resident of Omaha, Nebraska, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for three drug trafficking offenses involving fentanyl. The sentencing took place on December 13, 2024, with Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., presiding over the case. Following his imprisonment, Magana will serve a 10-year term of supervised release.
The investigation into Magana's activities began in March 2023 and identified him as a supplier of fentanyl pills in Omaha. A confidential informant facilitated four purchases of fentanyl pills from Magana during this period. On July 24, 2023, authorities executed a search warrant at Magana's residence where they discovered over 1,000 fentanyl pills and seized $6,680 in cash. Additionally, paperwork found at the residence led agents to a storage unit where they uncovered an additional 13,800 fentanyl pills.
Magana's sentence was subject to an enhanced mandatory minimum due to a prior federal conviction in 2015 for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. The $6,680 seized will be forfeited to the United States as proceeds from illegal drug trafficking.
The indictment also involved two co-defendants charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Zacharie Stinson, also aged 31 and from Omaha, pleaded guilty and received a sentence of 57 months in September. Lucas Ehly, another co-defendant aged 31 from Omaha who has pleaded guilty is awaiting sentencing on December 20, 2024.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Omaha Metro Drug Task Force.
