Long Island drug dealer sentenced to 22 years for selling fentanyl linked to former police officer’s death.
A Long Island resident was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for his role in the distribution of fentanyl that resulted in the death of a former police officer. The sentencing was announced by the Justice Department, highlighting the significant strides being made in combating the opioid epidemic that has plagued many communities across the United States.
Ryan Mueller, 33, of Lynbrook, New York, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to charges of distribution of fentanyl causing death. According to authorities, his reckless decision to manufacture and distribute counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl led to the tragic demise of an unsuspecting user who believed they were consuming a legitimate prescription medication.
The victim, a 49-year-old retired police officer, was discovered deceased in his home in Elmont, New York, in December 2022. Following his death, Mueller was arrested in April 2024 after a thorough investigation revealed that he was overseeing a large-scale drug distribution network.
Investigators reported that the fentanyl involved in this fatal case had been pressed into pills designed to mimic oxycodone. During a raid on Mueller’s residence, law enforcement personnel found a pill press, several kilograms of fentanyl, and an array of other narcotics, including heroin, cocaine, and oxycodone. The breadth of Mueller’s operation illustrated the alarming capabilities of illicit drug manufacturers to produce counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella remarked on the gravity of Mueller’s wrongdoing, stating that he had orchestrated a “massive and deadly fentanyl scheme.” Mueller’s organization reportedly operated pill presses the size of vending machines and was in possession of millions of counterfeit pills, all of which posed significant dangers to public health.
In a related development in February 2025, law enforcement conducted another raid connected to Mueller’s activities, uncovering approximately 3.4 million counterfeit pharmaceutical pills, including fake oxycodone pills infused with fentanyl, counterfeit Xanax, and over 300,000 Quaalude pills. Additionally, authorities seized around 600 grams of fentanyl in brick form.
This case exemplifies the ongoing battle against fentanyl-related deaths and the efforts of law enforcement to dismantle drug trafficking networks. As communities continue to grapple with the fallout of drug abuse, the Justice Department’s commitment to pursuing such cases remains steadfast.
