A Spalding, Nebraska man has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl. Tanner Hudson, 27, received the sentence on July 24, 2025, in Lincoln federal court. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis presided over the case. After serving his prison term, Hudson will also complete a three-year period of supervised release. Federal sentencing does not allow for parole.
According to court records, the incident occurred on March 13, 2022. Hudson gave a round blue pill to another person, believing it was Percocet, a controlled substance. This belief was supported by text messages and law enforcement interviews.
Shortly after taking the pill, the recipient lost consciousness. Several hours later, a roommate found the victim unconscious and suffering from pulmonary edema. First responders were called and administered Narcan at the scene. Medical professionals later determined that the victim had suffered two episodes of ventricular fibrillation and developed cerebral edema resulting in severe neurological injury. The individual remains in a vegetative state.
The Kearney Police Department conducted the investigation into this case.
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods stated: “Tanner Hudson, 27, of Spalding, Nebraska, was sentenced July 24, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln for distribution of fentanyl. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Hudson to 192 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hudson is released from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.”
