Paul Barris, Jr., and Michael Anthony Manners have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a fentanyl-related death. Barris, 40, from Telluride, received a sentence of 141 months, while Manners, also 40 and from Montrose, was sentenced to 160 months.
The case stems from an incident in September 2021 when Barris acquired fentanyl with Manners' assistance in Montrose. The fentanyl was then given to a woman who 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 process. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Agency, with Assistant United States Attorney R. Josh Player leading the prosecution.
Case Number: 22-cr-00336-GPG-JMC
