Terrell Kelley, age 35, pleaded guilty on April 9 before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan to multiple drug trafficking and firearms violations, according to a statement released on Apr. 21 by United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
Kelley admitted guilt to six counts including possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. These charges stem from three separate incidents between August 2020 and February 2023 involving narcotics and firearms offenses.
According to court documents, New Orleans Police Department officers arrested Kelley after an August 2020 standoff at his residence where they found $10,000 cash, drugs including crack cocaine and heroin, as well as firearms. In December 2021, officers observed him conducting hand-to-hand narcotics transactions resulting in the recovery of drugs and cash. In February 2023, Kelley was again found with a handgun and additional narcotics during another police encounter.
Kelley is scheduled for sentencing on July 14. The penalties for the charges range from up to twenty years in prison for certain drug offenses to at least five years up to life for possessing a firearm during drug trafficking activities. Fines can reach up to $1 million per count along with mandatory supervised release periods.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling criminal organizations—coordinated through the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the New Orleans Police Department investigated the case; Assistant United States Attorney Greg Kennedy leads prosecution efforts.
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. The position is appointed by the President with Senate approval according to its official website and covers Southeast Louisiana according to its official website. As chief federal law enforcement officer for this district according to its official website, responsibilities include protecting residents by prosecuting crimes, defending civil matters, handling debt collection for the government—all duties assigned upon presidential appointment according to its official website.
