Two men who supplied a CAL firefighter with fentanyl have been sent to prison.
CAL Firefighter Brian Parish, 43, died of an overdose.
Justin Mata, 41, was sentenced to 15 years in prison while Everett Curtis, 48, got over 12 years, CBS8 reported.
'This is a problem that is affecting all ages, all races, all socioeconomic groups...These are not people who are homeless, who are in the streets, these are everyday ordinary people.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence Casper said.
Parrish became addicted to painkillers after being treated with opioid medications following a wreck.
“We are pleased with the sentence,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Maritsa Flaherty, who handled these cases. “It sends a strong message to those in the community that dealing fentanyl is a crime that will result in serious penalties.”
Parrish's family hopes that sharing his story will help prevent others from feeling their pain. i
“Hopefully we can reach or inspire someone who could potentially need help to ask for help to de-stigmatize the idea that no one is out of the reach of addiction. Please know that what happened with Brian does not dictate the type of person that he was and all of the wonderful things that he achieved and all of the people who he saved in his career as a firefighter," they said in a statement.
