Silver Spring Man Faces Possible Life Sentence On Drug Charge: Court

GREENBELT, MD — A criminal complaint was filed against 24-year-old Mikiyas Maryie "Mick" Kefyalew in connection with the death of a Bethesda minor victim due to a fentanyl overdose in January, according to a U.S. District Court release.

The complaint was unsealed in U.S. District in Greenbelt upon Kefyalew's arrest on Friday. The complaint charged him with distribution of fentanyl resulting in the death of a minor victim. If convicted, Kefyalew faces a maximum sentence of life in a federal prison.

During their investigation in January, police found a counterfeit pill resembling 30mg of oxycodone, as well as texts on the victim's phone they say were from Kefyalew.

A test conducted by a forensic chemist revealed that the pill was fentanyl and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death as a fentanyl overdose, according to court documents.

Police conducted a forensic analysis of the victim's phone that they say revealed conversations between the victim and a contact identified as “Mick.” During those conversations, Kefyalew discussed meeting the victim for a drug transaction, according to police.

A witness told police that the victim purchased "percs" from "Mick," and described the "percs" as small blue pills similar to the one found at the time of the victim's death, according to court records.

In August 2021, Kefyalew was cited for possessing more than 10 grams of marijuana. In that case, police found a small blue pill stamped with "M 30" inside a baggie found in the car Kefyalew was seated in at the time of the arrest. The pill later tested positive for fentanyl, according to court documents.

A search of Kefyalew's vehicle in March turned up two cellphones, one of which, police say, contained multiple conversations related to drug trafficking. In one of those conversations, someone told Kefyalew that anyone using "percs" should get Narcan to prevent overdoses, according to court documents.