Press Release
Two Colorado Men Sentenced To Federal Prison For Fentanyl Related Death
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Colorado
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Paul Barris, Jr., 40, of Telluride, and Michael Anthony Manners, 40, of Montrose, were each sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution of a controlled substance containing fentanyl resulting in death. Barris Jr. was sentenced to 141 months in federal prison. Manners was sentenced to 160 months in federal prison.
According to the plea agreement, in September of 2021, Baris purchased fentanyl with the help of Manners in the Montrose, Colorado area. Baris then provided the fentanyl to a woman who later died of an overdose.
“Stopping illicit fentanyl distribution is a priority for the Administration, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said 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 presided over the sentencing.
The Drug Enforcement Administration handled the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney R. Josh Player handled the prosecution.
Case Number: 22-cr-00336-GPG-JMC
Contact
USACO.PublicAffairs@usdoj.gov
Updated January 30, 2025
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