Duane A. Evans, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana
David Kellup Jr., a resident of New Orleans, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to drug trafficking and firearms violations. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson confirmed that Kellup entered his plea on February 13, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier. Sentencing is set for May 24, 2025.
Kellup faces several charges: possession with intent to distribute controlled substances under Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C); possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. §924(c)(1); possessing firearms after felony convictions under Title 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(1) and §924(a)(8); and maintaining a drug-involved premises in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §856(a) and Title 18 U.S.C. §2.
For the first charge, Kellup could face five to forty years in prison, up to a $5 million fine, and at least four years of supervised release. The second charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life imprisonment, with fines reaching $250,000 and up to five years of supervised release following imprisonment; this sentence must run consecutively with any other sentence.
The third charge subjects him to up to fifteen years imprisonment, a possible $250,000 fine, and three years supervised release post-imprisonment. For the fourth charge concerning maintaining drug premises, he faces up to twenty years imprisonment and a potential $500,000 fine along with three years supervised release after serving his time.
The indictment revealed that from an unknown start date until at least May 8, 2024, Kellup was involved in operating three residences in New Orleans' Algiers neighborhood for narcotics packaging and distribution including fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin while conspiring with others who also possessed firearms.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims at reducing violent crime through community trust-building strategies launched by the Department on May 26th ,2021 . It involves collaboration among various law enforcement agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau Investigation(FBI), Louisiana State Police(LSP)and New Orleans Police Department(NOPD). Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot is leading the prosecution from within its Narcotics Unit.
