Omaha, Nebraska Woman Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced an Omaha, Nebraska, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. The sentencing took place on May 18, 2026.

Patricia Lawson, 55, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Lawson was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering by a federal grand jury in December 2024. She pleaded guilty on February 23, 2026.

Lawson was part of a multi-state conspiracy that trafficked methamphetamine from Omaha to Sioux Falls. Lawson was responsible for obtaining methamphetamine in Omaha and then distributing it to South Dakota based co-conspirators either by driving the methamphetamine to Sioux Falls herself or meeting with co-conspirators who drove to Omaha. She also sent drug proceeds through multiple money wire transfers directly to people in Mexico at the direction of a co-conspirator. During her involvement in the conspiracy, Lawson was involved in trafficking approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges handled the prosecution of the case.

Lawson was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.