LAFAYETTE – On July 20, 2026, United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced Wayne Christopher Kelley, 43, of Rayne, to 60 months in federal prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine. He will serve four years of supervised release after his sentence is served. Kelley previously pled guilty to the charges.According to court documents, investigators with the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office (APSO) began investigating Kelley in early 2025 for suspected crack cocaine trafficking in and around Rayne, Louisiana. On June 26, 2025, detectives obtained search warrants for two residences associated with Kelley. On July 1, 2025, investigators recovered one kilogram of cocaine at the first residence. At the second, detectives found a book sack containing measuring cups, spoons, whisks, a calibrated scale with white residue, a razor blade, approximately 3.21 grams of cocaine, and a vacuum-sealed bag containing approximately 159 grams of cocaine.Kelley admitted that the narcotics belonged to him. The total amount of cocaine attributable to Kelley exceeded 500 grams and was consistent with distribution quantities. DEA DEA U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.APSO, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte Murphy with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America (TBA), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s agencies, and coordinates efforts with state and local law enforcement and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF), ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. Learn more about PSN at https://www.justice.gov/psnYou may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 6:25-CR-00325.###Public Affairs United States Attorney’s Office Western District of Louisiana USALAW-News@usdoj.govwww.justice.gov/usao-wdlaTwitter @USAO_WDLA
Source: U.S. Department of Justice