'No regard for human life.' Family of Suffolk man who died of overdose stunned that dealer may not see prison

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The family of a Suffolk man who died of a drug overdose tells News 12 they are shocked, baffled and confused after they found out that the man who admitted to selling their loved one the drugs that killed him may not face time behind bars. "We're just shocked and cannot really understand the decision." said Sandra Piaskowska, the sister of Igor Piaskowski, of Copiague. The 32-year-old died in October 2023, after overdosing on what he was told was cocaine. But the Suffolk district attorney says it was actually a deadly fentanyl mixture, sold by 31-year-old Omar Aitcheson, of North Amityville. Aitcheson pleaded guilty, and the judge ruled he could avoid prison by completing a drug treatment program called Judicial Diversion Program. Steve Chassman, executive director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence (LICADD), told News 12 that the program is designed for people convicted of drug crimes, who can avoid prison if they complete the program. "We've had great success in Nassau and Suffolk with diversionary programs in the court systems." said Chassman. However, Chassman said the programs are supposed to be for people who need drug use treatment, but he says it is up to a judge to decide who can be allowed to take part in it. Chassman said, "People have to determine who is sick and suffering and deserving of treatment and hence diversionary programs and who unfortunately are bad actors, who are peddling poisons to our communities, strictly for monetary gain or for greed or wealth." "On what basis the judge decided that this case was suitable for the program, I have no idea and I'm really baffled by this decision," says Piaskowska. According to the Suffolk District Attorney, if Aitcheson successfully completes the program after eighteen months, followed by one year probation, he will be able to withdraw his guilty plea and have his felony charges dismissed. The DA says if he fails to complete the program, he will be sent to prison for three years followed by two years of post-release supervision. The DA's office says it had recommended Aitcheson serve eight years in prison, which is what Piaskowski's sister says his family wanted, too. "It was not just a case of you know someone just casually dealing drugs, it was someone who had completely, who had no regard for human life, who was dealing fatal doses of drugs." said Sandra Piaskowska. She went on to say that her brother, who was her only sibling and also a beloved son and uncle, will not just be deeply missed by his family, but their heartbreak over his death is made worse by what they think is an unjust decision. "We just have to live with it, we have to try to move on, continue to pray, try to forgive," says Piaskowska. "