Northeast Neb. man sentenced after fentanyl found in package

OMAHA, Neb. (KCAU) — A northeast Nebraska man will serve nearly five years in prison after pleading guilty to trying to distribute fentanyl by mail.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Jason Viera Penalbert, 37, of Madison was given 57 months in prison Wednesday for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. He will also have to serve two years of supervised release. The federal system does not allow for parole.

In May 2023, DEA agents found what they deemed to be a suspicious package at a UPS facility, officials said in a release.. After obtaining a search warrant, officials reportedly found “two bricks wrapped in silver duct tape” that contained about 2,428 grams of powder fentanyl.

Agents replaced the drugs with fake narcotics and delivered it to a residence in Norfolk. Penalbert then arrived to pick it up. He was arrested and later admitted to officials that he intended to deliver the package to Minnesota. Officials then found messages in Penalbert’s phone about the delivery.

Penalbert also admitted that there would be drugs at his Madison home. Officials then found 195 grams of cocaine there. Penalbert was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine; however, that charge was dropped as part of the plea agreement.

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