DES MOINES, Iowa – A Malden, Massachusetts man was sentenced on January 20, 2026, to eight years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl.

According to public court documents, Michael Thomas D’Orlando, 47, sent packages with a powder containing fentanyl to a person in the Southern District of Iowa. On November 27, 2023, the Norwalk Police Department located a deceased victim. Further investigation showed that the victim ingested the powder D’Orlando sent to Iowa and the fentanyl caused the victim’s death.

After completing his term of imprisonment, D’Orlando will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service remains committed in its collaboration with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who distribute lethal doses of fentanyl are held accountable,” said Bryan Musgrove, Inspector in Charge of the Denver Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “This sentencing emphasizes the impact of fentanyl distribution in our communities and our commitment in relentlessly pursuing those responsible for distributing the deadly drug.”

Greg Staples, Chief of Police for the City of Norwalk, said “The distribution of narcotics presents a severe risk to the community and resulted in the death of a community member in the City of Norwalk in November 2023. Thank you to our partners, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa for assisting with this investigation. These partnerships are crucial to maintain public safety, quality prosecutions, and justice for the citizens of Norwalk.”

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The United States Postal Inspection Service, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and City of Norwalk Police Department investigated the case.