A Gaithersburg man has pleaded guilty in federal court to a drug trafficking offense tied to the death of a 15-year-old girl, with prosecutors saying the fatal encounter stemmed from a social media transaction.
Kelvin Reyes, 27, admitted to distributing fentanyl to the victim in January 2023 after she contacted him on Instagram to purchase the drug. According to the plea, Reyes agreed to the sale and arranged to meet the victim at an elementary school near her home in Montgomery County during the early morning hours of January 14.
Investigators determined Reyes’ phone was at the meeting location, and video footage showed the victim briefly leaving her home and returning minutes later. Shortly after the transaction, Reyes posted on social media that he was driving around selling fentanyl.
Later that morning, around 7am, the victim’s mother found her unresponsive in her bedroom. Authorities said she was in a fetal position with fluid coming from her mouth and nose. Drug paraphernalia, including burnt foil with fentanyl residue, was found nearby. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be fentanyl and despropionyl fentanyl intoxication.
A search of Reyes’ residence later that month uncovered items consistent with drug distribution, including a digital scale, plastic bags, and materials with residue.
Federal officials said the case underscores the dangers of fentanyl and the growing role of social media in facilitating drug transactions involving minors.
Reyes faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Under the terms of the plea agreement, he is expected to receive a sentence between 12 and 17 years if accepted by the court. Sentencing is scheduled for September 17 at 10am before U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman.
Prosecutors credited federal agents and Montgomery County Police with building the case.
