A man who admitted to turning over the counterfeit pharmaceutical pills that killed Grammy-nominated rapper Mac Miller has been sentenced to nearly 11 years in federal prison, according to court documents.
Ryan Michael Reavis, 39, pleaded guilty on November 30, 2021 to one count of distributing fentanyl, as one of three men charged in connection with the 2018 death of the musician, whose real name was Malcolm McCormick .
A judge in the US District Court in Los Angeles on Monday sentenced Reavis to 10 years and 11 months in prison, files from the case show.
Prosecutors asked Judge Otis Wright II for a sentence of 12 years and seven months.
Reavis admitted receiving prescription painkillers containing the powerful opiate fentanyl from a man named Stephen Walter and leaving them in LA with a third co-defendant, Cameron Pettit, on Walter’s orders.
Pettit sold the tainted oxycodone pills to Miller, who took them two days later and died of an overdose caused primarily by fentanyl, authorities said.
Drug dealers have been known to flavor their wares with fentanyl to make them stronger while keeping their selling price relatively affordable. Experts say the lab-made drug in particular has fueled the years-long opioid crisis.
Investigators investigating Miller’s death found messages showing that Reavis was still selling the pills, nicknamed Fake Blues, despite “people dying left and right.”
“You can start putting [people] life in prison for selling counterfeit pills,” read a message cited in Reavis’ filing.
Federal prosecutors charged Reavis, Walter and Pettit with distributing fentanyl and conspiring to traffic in drugs that resulted in death. As part of a plea bargain, Reavis and Pettit each pleaded guilty only to the fentanyl distribution fee.
Walter, 49, is awaiting a sentencing hearing scheduled for May 16. He has agreed to serve 17 years in prison.
As of this week, Pettit, 30, has continued to signal his intention to go to court. He faces a life sentence if convicted of a drug conspiracy that resulted in death.
In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, which first reported Monday’s sentencing, an attorney for Reavis said the defendant is battling an addiction that has gripped Miller and many other Americans.
“Mac Miller was loved and admired by so many,” said Cori Ferrentino. “He has battled many of the same demons related to addiction that Mr. Reavis has battled throughout his life. It hasn’t escaped Mr. Reavis for a minute that he can return to his family and Mac Miller can’t.”
Pittsburgh native Miller often dealt with depression and drug use in his music. Hits included tracks like Donald Trump, Program and Self Care. His death prompted superstars like Chance the Rapper, Travis Scott and Ty Dolla $ign to perform at a tribute concert.
Miller’s last album, Swimming, was posthumously nominated for a Grammy. He was also known for a relationship with pop singer Ariana Grande that ended months before his death.