A Southern California first responder has been handed a significant prison sentence of over 30 years for selling a lethal dose of fentanyl to a colleague. Cruz Noel Quintero, 43, a former Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), was found guilty last September of distributing fentanyl resulting in death, in addition to several weapons charges. Quintero's illegal activities extended beyond this tragic incident. Prosecutors revealed that he was involved in the distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine, and other illicit substances from his Long Beach residence, even shipping large quantities across the United States.
The fatal transaction occurred in 2019 when Quintero sold a white powder, falsely identified as cocaine, to a coworker in the hospital parking lot for $100. The victim was discovered deceased in Las Vegas the next day, with toxicology reports confirming a fentanyl overdose as the cause of death. A subsequent search of Quintero's home uncovered drug paraphernalia and an arsenal of over a dozen firearms, including machine guns. Quintero has been incarcerated since his arrest in May 2019.
