Greenbelt, MD – In a stunning blow to the fentanyl crisis ravaging Maryland’s communities, 27-year-old Mikiyas Kefyalew of Silver Spring was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman to eight years in federal prison for his role in a drug deal that resulted in the tragic death of a Bethesda minor.
The sentence comes after a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Montgomery County Police Department, and Rockville City Police Department exposed Kefyalew’s sinister scheme. The defendant, who was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release, is accused of distributing fentanyl-laced drugs that killed the young victim in January 2022.
“This case is a heartbreaking example of the devastating impact fentanyl has on our communities, especially our youth,” said Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. “No sentence can undo the pain suffered by this family, but we remain committed to seeking justice and holding those responsible for such senseless acts accountable.”
According to court documents, Kefyalew knowingly distributed a substance containing fentanyl and 4-Anilino-N-phenethlpiperdine to the victim. The deadly drug was disguised as legitimate oxycodone hydrochloride pills, marked with ‘M 30’ on circular blue tablets.
Hayes praised the DEA, MCPD, and RCPD for their tireless work in the investigation, adding that Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Wright and Joel Crespo successfully prosecuted the case. Kefyalew was also ordered to forfeit funds obtained from his drug dealing activities and pay restitution.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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