Hastings man sentenced for distributing fentanyl

OMAHA,Neb. -- United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced today that Seth Fontaine, 30, of Hastings, Neb., was sentenced Wednesday in federal court for distribution of fentanyl. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Fontaine to 180 months’ imprisonment.

There is no parole in the federal system.

After Fontaine is released from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

On May 17, 2023, Fontaine sent a Facebook message to Victim 1 stating “do u got Narcan?” The victim replied, “yea.” Fontain then replied, “Cool, thank you, I got some real fentanyl, wanna smoke some.”  The parties met at Victim 1’s residence in Hastings, and smoked fentanyl.  Victim 1 became unconscious and was not breathing.  First responders were called to the scene and administered Narcan.  Victim 1 went to the local hospital and received further medical attention.  At the scene, law enforcement located pipes with fentanyl residue on them, burnt tin foil, and a torch still lit.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Overdose Task Force, which is comprised of law enforcement from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Omaha Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.