An Arizona man has been sentenced to nearly 22 years in federal prison for his role in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy that brought large amounts of the drug into western South Dakota.
Thirty-eight-year-old John Parrado was sentenced on July 20th to 21 years and 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. He will also serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Parrado conspired with others during 2025 to obtain fentanyl and distribute it in South Dakota. Prosecutors say much of the fentanyl was shipped through the U.S. mail, and Parrado was personally responsible for distributing 400 grams of the drug within the state.
The investigation was conducted by the Rapid City Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
