Terrell Kelley, age 35, pleaded guilty on April 9 before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan to six federal charges related to drug trafficking and firearms violations, according to a statement released on Apr. 21 by United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
Kelley admitted guilt to three counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement officials in Southeast Louisiana to address violent crime and illegal drug activity.
According to court documents, the charges stem from three separate incidents between August 2020 and February 2023. In August 2020, New Orleans Police Department officers arrested Kelley following a standoff at his residence where authorities recovered cash, drugs including crack cocaine and heroin, Tramadol pills, ammunition, and firearms. Later incidents involved additional narcotics transactions observed by police as well as the recovery of more drugs and another handgun during arrests in December 2021 and February 2023.
Kelley is scheduled for sentencing on July 14. The penalties for his convictions range from up to twenty years for certain drug offenses to up to fifteen years for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Possession of a firearm during drug trafficking carries an additional penalty ranging from five years up to life imprisonment that must run consecutively with other sentences.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative led by the Department of Justice using resources from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)—which aims at eliminating cartels and protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana enhances community safety through law enforcement efforts according to the official website. The office operates under the U.S. Department of Justice according to its official website and enforces federal laws while prosecuting criminal cases according to its official website. Appointed by the President with Senate approval according to its official website, the U.S. Attorney covers Southeast Louisiana according to its official website as chief federal law enforcement officer for the district according to its official website. The office also defends civil matters and handles debt collection for the government according to its official website.
