LINCOLN, Neb. -- A 32-year-old Texas man was sentenced in federal court Thursday in connection to a fentanyl-related conviction in Nebraska.

Acting U.S. Attorney Steven Russell announced that Ezekiel Fernandez, II, 32, of Highlands, Texas, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture containing fentanyl. 

On May 27, 2021, a Lancaster County Sheriff’s deputy reportedly pulled a vehicle over for a traffic violation along Interstate 80 in Lancaster County. Fernandez was identified as the driver. 

After the traffic stop, a K9 was called and deployed around the vehicle. The K9 reportedly alerted and indicated to the presence of narcotics odor in the vehicle.

Law enforcement searched the vehicle and found a duffle bag in the back seat with around $30,000 in U.S. currency. Fernandez later agreed to forfeiting that currency. Officers also reported finding a bag with a large number of blue pills in the front seat. The blue pills were sent to a lab for testing, and the lab confirmed that the pills contained fentanyl and weighed about 1.07 kilograms.

After serving his sentence, Fernandez will be placed on supervised release for 2 years.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

The case was investigated by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.