Placer County fentanyl dealer sentenced in Rocklin man’s overdose death
A 44-year-old man was sentenced Monday to 15 years to life in prison after being convicted in a fentanyl-related death, Placer County prosecutors announced.
Brandon Wayne Garner was tied to the 2023 overdose of Michael Ucovich, 40, who was found unresponsive at a Rocklin residence, according to the Rocklin Police Department.
Authorities determined Ucovich died from acute fentanyl intoxication. Investigators later found Garner had sold fentanyl to Ucovich hours before his death, citing text messages exchanged between the two.
Prosecutors said Garner was involved in ongoing drug trafficking and received more than $117,000 in narcotics payments over a nine-month period.
Prosecutors in Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire’s office said evidence showed Garner understood the risks associated with fentanyl.
“Evidence also showed the defendant was fully aware of the deadly nature of fentanyl, yet continued to distribute it, demonstrating a callous disregard for human life,” the post said. “The defendant even stated that he ‘kept Narcan on him at all times,’ showing that he knew the deadliness of the poison he was peddling.”
Garner was sentenced in Placer Superior Court by Judge Suzanne Gazzaniga.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Devan Portillo, of the DA Office’s special prosecutions unit, handled the case, with support from a Placer County Sheriff’s Office detective assigned to the county’s Opioid Response Team.
Portillo also read Garner a fentanyl advisement on the record.
“Our office will never stop fighting for victims to the fullest extent the law allows,” Portillo said. “This case represents the devastating consequences of fentanyl in our communities and the importance of holding those who distribute it fully accountable.”
Ucovich was a Rocklin High School graduate and former track athlete who held a long jump record. He later studied engineering at Cal Poly Pomona and worked in project management. Family members said Ucovich was active in the community and volunteered as a youth sports coach.
“Michael cherished his role as a devoted father. His love for his son ... his friends and his family was immeasurable,” the obituary said. A scholarship in his honor was set up in the Rocklin Unified School District.
