Two Colorado men have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a fentanyl-related death. Paul Barris, Jr., 40, from Telluride, and Michael Anthony Manners, 40, from Montrose, pleaded guilty to distributing a controlled substance containing fentanyl that resulted in death. Barris received a sentence of 141 months in federal prison, while Manners was sentenced to 160 months.
The plea agreement revealed that in September 2021, Barris acquired fentanyl with assistance from Manners in the Montrose area. Barris then supplied the drug to a woman who subsequently died from an overdose.
"Stopping illicit fentanyl distribution is a priority for the Administration, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office," stated Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado J. Bishop Grewell. "Our office will relentlessly pursue drug dealers to get this scourge off our streets."
United States District Court Judge Gordon P. Gallagher oversaw the sentencing proceedings.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Agency and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney R. Josh Player.
Case Number: 22-cr-00336-GPG-JMC