Jury Convicts Omaha Man for Distribution of Fentanyl Causing Death

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that on January 23, 2026, following a jury trial in Omaha, Nebraska, Paul “Tony” Billingsley, 65, of Omaha, was found guilty of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death stemming from a May 6, 2024, incident, and distribution of fentanyl stemming from a May 24, 2024, incident. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. presided over the trial.  Billingsley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison for the distribution causing death charge and a maximum sentence of 20 years for the distribution of fentanyl charge.

Evidence at trial revealed that on May 6, 2024, Billingsley sold fentanyl to co-defendant Elissa Larson. Within the hour, Larson distributed the fentanyl to a victim who overdosed and died. A family member later found the victim. Following the victim’s overdose death, law enforcement utilized a confidential informant to conduct a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Billingsley on May 24, 2024.  Law enforcement arrested Billingsley on June 3, 2024, and located more fentanyl in Billingsley’s possession. 

Billingsley will be sentenced on April 17, 2026, before Chief Judge Rossiter. Co-defendant Larson has pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and will be sentenced on February 20, 2026.

This case was investigated by the Overdose Drug Taskforce comprised of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Nebraska State Patrol, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Omaha Police Department.