Stock photo, Metro Creative Graphics

Stock photo, Metro Creative Graphics

Kent man pleads guilty to controlled substance charge

Initially faced controlled substance homicide charge after Seattle man died from a drug overdose

  • Wednesday, May 3, 2023 4:55pm
  • News

A 40-year-old man recently pleaded guilty in King County Superior Court to a controlled substance charge reduced from a controlled substance homicide charge.

Kelly Dean Krstich pleaded guilty April 26. Judge Marshall Ferguson will oversee Krstich’s sentencing hearing on May 12. Krstich remains in custody, from a Sept. 7, 2022 booking, in the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent with bail set at $499,000.

Seattle Police initially arrested Krstich in Kent on Dec. 4, 2018 on a homicide charge after a 33-year-old Seattle man died from an overdose on Feb. 24, 2018 after exchanging his prescribed Xanax for fentanyl with Krstich.

According to the Washington State Legislature, a “person who unlawfully delivers a controlled substance … (which) is subsequently used by the person to whom it was delivered, resulting in the death of the user, is guilty of controlled substances homicide.”

Screenshots of text messages exchanged between Krstich and the 33-year-old man demonstrated the two exchanging Xanax for fentanyl, according to court documents.

Prosecutors filed a felony charge of controlled substance homicide against Krstich on Dec. 9, 2019.

Krstich pleaded not guilty to the charge at his arraignment hearing on May 14, 2020.

Prior to facing a jury trial, Krstich accepted a plea deal reducing the severity of the charge to a violation of the uniform controlled substances act for the delivery of fentanyl.

The prosecuting attorney will make a recommendation of a seven-year sentence for the charge at Krstich’s sentencing hearing as part of his plea deal.

As part of his plea deal, Krstich also pleaded guilty to charges from two separate cases.

He pleaded guilty to charges of residential burglary and second-degree assault in regards to a May 2018 case; and guilty to charges of third-degree assault, attempting to elude police vehicle, and possession of a stolen vehicle in regards to a May 2020 case.

Prosecutors also reduced the severity of charges from the May 2018 and May 2020 case as part of the plea agreement.

According to his plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend Krstich serve the seven-year sentence concurrently with the sentences of the May 2018 and May 2020 cases, resulting in a total sentence of seven years in prison for all three cases.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Kent police investigate fatal two-vehicle collision

The collision killed a woman and left a 45-year-old Tacoma driver, suspected of intoxication at the time of the crash, hospitalized.

Competing for the 8th Congressional District: Carmen Goers, left, and Kim Schrier. COURTESY PHOTOS
Adam Smith and Kim Schrier will retain Congress seats | Election 2024

Smith represents the 9th Congressional District and Schrier represents the 8th Congressional District.

Courtesy of Democratic Caucus
Pictured left to right: Sen. Bob Hasegawa (D), Rep. David Hackney, and Rep. Steve Bergquist
Democratic incumbents in lead for 11th Legislative District

Bob Hasegawa, David Hackney and Steve Bergquist have strong leads, with Hasegawa and Hackney running unopposed.

Debra Entenman and Kyle Lyebyedyev. File photos
Entenman and Stearns lead in 47th District | Election 2024

The district includes Kent, Covington and Auburn.

File photo
Kent School District levy is failing at the polls | Election 2024

Early election results show voters rejecting the proposed Capital Projects and Technology Levy.

Larry Best, a customer coordinator for quality assurance who has worked at Boeing for 38 years, stands outside of Angel of the Winds Arena with a “vote no” sign on Monday in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists approve contract, ending 52-day strike

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Photos from the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington press release.
Kent man arrested in connection to violent drug trafficking gang investigation

Law enforcement seized more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 60 firearms, and more than $130,000 in cash.

Courtesy Photo, King County
Son accused of fatally shooting mother’s boyfriend in Kent back in jail

Dondre Butler has 3 violations in 13 months of electronic home detention after charged with murder in 2022

t
Kent Police targeted street patrols result in arrest of two felons

One driver spotted in a vehicle with no plates; another driver reportedly in a stolen vehicle

t
Kent cold case murder suspect back in state after governor’s warrant | Update

Kenneth Kundert fought extradition from Arkansas after August arrest in 1980 killing of Dorothy Silzel

t
City of Kent eyes November opening for Reith Road roundabouts

Two more roundabouts will bring total in city to six; three more in future plans