Gaithersburg Man Pleads Guilty in Fentanyl Distribution Case Leading to Teen’s Death

A Gaithersburg, Maryland resident has pleaded guilty to federal drug distribution charges in connection with the death of a 15-year-old girl, according to information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. Kelvin Reyes, 27, admitted to distributing controlled substances, specifically fentanyl, to the victim, who subsequently died after consuming the drug. The transaction reportedly occurred after the victim contacted Reyes through a social media platform.

The investigation detailed that on the evening of January 13, 2023, the victim initiated contact with Reyes via Instagram to arrange the purchase of fentanyl. Reyes agreed to the sale and requested a delivery location. The victim then directed him to meet her at an elementary school in Montgomery County, near her residence. Evidence gathered during the investigation, including cell phone location data and surveillance footage, indicated that Reyes’s phone was present at the school during the early morning hours of January 14. Ring camera footage from the victim’s home showed her leaving and returning within a short period. Following the meeting, Reyes allegedly posted an Instagram story indicating he was driving and selling fentanyl.

The victim’s mother discovered her daughter unresponsive in her room on the morning of January 14, with signs of distress and a burnt piece of aluminum foil containing fentanyl residue nearby. An autopsy later confirmed that the cause of death was intoxication from fentanyl and despropionyl fentanyl. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Reyes’s residence on January 24, where they reportedly found items including a digital scale, various plastic bags, and paraphernalia with residue, suggesting drug distribution activities.

Reyes faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the charge of distribution of controlled substances. Under the terms of his guilty plea, the court has agreed to a sentencing range of no less than 12 and no more than 17 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman has scheduled the sentencing hearing for September 17. Federal sentencing guidelines and statutory factors will be considered by the judge in determining the final sentence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office commended the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Montgomery County Police Department in their investigation of this case.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland

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