Arizona man sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison for conspiring with others to distribute fentanyl in western South Dakota (DOJ)

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that United States District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced an Arizona man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on July 20, 2026.

John Parrado, 38, was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Parrado was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in September 2025. He pleaded guilty on January 5, 2026.

In 2025, Parrado conspired with other people to obtain fentanyl and distribute it in South Dakota. He received much of his supply from out of state through the U.S. mail. Ultimately, Parrado was personally involved in the distribution of 400 grams of the drug in the state.

"This is another step forward in eliminating these deadly substances from our state," said U.S. Attorney Parsons. "My deepest thanks go out to the strong detective work of the Rapid City Police, the DEA, ATF, and Postal Inspection Service, working together to reel in this fentanyl dealer and put him away."

This case was investigated by the Rapid City Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Peterson prosecuted the case.

Parrado was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.