Yahya Mosleh Denied Bond; Son Islam Released on $20,000 Unsecured Bond in Ole Miss Student Death Probe

Yahya Mosleh bond denied — A federal judge on Friday denied bond to Yahya Mosleh, a vape shop employee, while granting his 18-year-old son, Islam Mosleh, release on a $20,000 unsecured bond with curfew and location monitoring. The elder Mosleh remains in U.S. Marshals Service custody.

Both men face federal charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. The case stems from an investigation into the September 21 deaths of two University of Mississippi students, Aidan Hamilton, 18, and Robert Strang, 20. Hamilton was found dead in a dorm room; Strang was discovered off-campus roughly an hour later.

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What Toxicology Found

Initial assessments suggested the deaths were consistent with drug overdoses. Toxicology reports later identified three substances: mitragynine and two kratom derivatives, MGM-15 and MGPI. MGM-15 and MGPI are classified as Schedule I controlled substances. Final autopsy and cause-of-death reports had not been made public as of Monday morning.

Evidence Tied to Store Products

Packages of Smax Mango Breeze pills were found near the students. Prosecutors allege that products seized from Puffs Vape Tobacco & Beer, the Oxford store where the Moslehs worked, matched those pills in packaging, ingredients, and a distinctive $39.99 price tag.

Investigators seized more than 500 units of kratom-like products and suspected THC products from the store.

Prosecution Allegations

A government motion alleges that Yahya Mosleh sold a similar product to a confidential informant even after warning that people were dying from comparable substances. Prosecutors also argue that sales continued despite local restrictions and public reports of the student deaths.

In seeking detention for Yahya Mosleh, prosecutors cited the continued sales, possible sales to minors, and international ties. The bond decision leaves him in federal custody pending further proceedings.

Islam Mosleh’s release conditions require him to observe a curfew and submit to location monitoring. No trial dates or additional court proceedings have been announced.