Matthew R. Molsen United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska
Two men from Lincoln, Nebraska have been found guilty on drug-related charges. Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen revealed that on April 24, 2025, a federal jury delivered a verdict against Olen Warner, also known as Dan Warner, 51, and Ernesto Leyva, 36. Warner was convicted on counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and fentanyl analogues, alongside a count of distributing substances containing fentanyl. Leyva faced conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, fentanyl analogue, and heroin.
Warner's potential sentence includes a term of up to life in prison with a minimum of ten years for the conspiracy count, and up to 40 years with a minimum of five years for the distribution count. Leyva's conviction carries a potential sentence of up to life in prison, with a minimum of ten years. Sentencing for both is scheduled for July 17, 2025, with United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis overseeing the trial.
Warner had been trafficking meth and fentanyl in Lincoln and the District of Nebraska since at least October 2019. Leyva distributed fentanyl and heroin, beginning his activities in 2021, also engaging in meth trafficking. Their co-defendant, Danna Hespen, previously pled guilty to the same conspiracy charge and was active in meth distribution in Lincoln from 2021. Hespen's involvement in distribution began earnestly after she was released from jail in November 2022. Phone records from December 2022 to July 2023 show the trio collaborating on meth, fentanyl, and heroin sales.
Warner was responsible for transporting meth and fentanyl from Colorado to Lincoln for distribution by Leyva, Hespen, and others. Regular trips were made to supply the network, with pounds of meth and thousands of M30 pills delivered for sale in Lincoln. The group’s activities were extensively documented, with Hespen and Leyva also in a personal relationship, frequently involved in transactions together.
The case's investigation was handled by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force in cooperation with the Greater Omaha Safe Streets Task Force.
