Cheyenne drug investigation results in Federal firearm and narcotics charges

intent to distribute methamphetamine and carfentanil. U.S. Attorney Darin Smith announced that Leonard Raymond Riffel, 52, will serve 120 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson on May 21 in Cheyenne. Riffel was remanded to custody.

According to court documents, in September 2025, a Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating Riffel for suspected drug trafficking. Detectives learned that Riffel traveled to Colorado to buy methamphetamine and fentanyl for redistribution in Cheyenne.

On October 23, 2025, Cheyenne Police Department (CPD) stopped a black SUV with Riffel seated in the rear passenger seat. During a search of the vehicle, officers found a black bag behind Riffel's seat. The bag contained approximately 439 grams of methamphetamine, 10.5 grams of carfentanil pills (an ultra-potent synthetic form of fentanyl), a digital scale, and unused plastic baggies commonly associated with drug distribution. Riffel admitted the bag belonged to him and was arrested.

Afterhis arrest, CPD detectives executed a search warrant on the apartment where Riffel was staying. Detectives found a Springfield .40 caliber pistol and a box of ammunition in his room. Because Riffel was previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment, he cannot legally possess firearms.

"The facts of this case paint a troubling picture of someone traveling across state lines to bring methamphetamine and carfentanil into Cheyenne for distribution," said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith. "Carfentanil is so dangerous that even a tiny amount can be lethal. Cases like this are exactly why law enforcement remains focused on stopping traffickers before these substances reach our streets. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their outstanding work."

Riffel was arrested on Oct. 23, 2025, on related, now dismissed, state charges; and brought into federal custody on December 16, 2025. He waived indictment and pleaded guilty on March 2, 2026. The DEA and CPD investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Naiman prosecuted the case.