Stock photo, Metro Creative Graphics

Stock photo, Metro Creative Graphics

Man receives 7-year prison sentence for controlled substance charge

Seattle Police arrested the man in Kent in 2018 after Seattle man died from a drug overdose

A King County Superior Court judge sentenced a 40-year-old man to seven years in prison for a controlled substance charge conviction, reduced from a controlled substance homicide charge after he accepted a plea deal from county prosecutors.

Kelly Dean Krstich pleaded guilty April 26 to charges in multiple cases including violation of the uniform controlled substances act. Seattle Police arrested Krstich in 2018 in Kent.

Judge Veronica Galván served as the judicial officer for Krstich’s sentencing hearing on May 5. Krstich’s term of confinement began immediately, with credit for time served in custody from a Sept. 7, 2022 booking, in the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent when bail was 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 an affidavit of probable cause.

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 recommended 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 recommended 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.

Krstich will also serve a one year parole sentence following his time in confinement, as per court order.


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

t
Kent crime numbers drop dramatically in first quarter of 2025

All categories down compared to first three months of 2024; commercial burglaries drop 62%

t
Kent Police arrest man in stolen vehicle after short pursuit

Seattle man, 36, taken into custody April 14 at apartment complex near Kent-Meridian High School

t
Kent church reaches $1 million milestone for assistance program

Kent United Methodist Shared Bread Program helps people pay rent, utilities

Atena, part of a Kent Police K-9 unit, helped locate a man who reportedly fired three to five shots from his motorcycle at another vehicle April 12 in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
WSP plane, Kent K-9 unit locate man who fired shots at teen

Motorcyclist fled drive-by shooting on West Hill during April 12 incident

A house in Issaquah was damaged by fallen trees during November’s bomb cyclone. (Courtesy of King County Councilmember Sarah Perry’s office)
FEMA denies funds to WA for damage caused by 2024 ‘bomb cyclone’

Gov. Bob Ferguson says federal funds are needed to address $34 million in damage caused by the storm, and that the state will appeal.

Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE., in Covington. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Person who made Kentwood High social media threat tracked down

‘Had no means to carry out the threat,’ according to King County Sheriff’s Office

A man places his ballot into the drop box outside Federal Way City Hall. Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing
SAVE Act could disenfranchise millions of voters

Congressman reports law could cost Washingtonians over $361 million just to register to vote.

t
Judge dismisses petitions to recall 2 Kent School Board members

Group wanted to recall Meghin Margel and Tim Clark

t
Kent Police Blotter: March 25 to April 6

Incidents include attempted bank robbery, cable wire theft, DUI arrest, parking lot robbery

Courtesy Photo, Kent Police
New 3-year contract gives Kent Police officers pay boost

Hikes of 16% and 17% in 2025 compared to 2022; beginning salary at $96,306 with annual increases

t
Kent man wanted in reported DV case now presumed to be on the run

Kent Police initially believed the man had died in fire; seek public’s help to find Avon Cobb