NOLA Man Conley Gets 8 Years for Drugs & Guns

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Keenan Conley, 25, of Orleans Parish, is headed to federal prison for nearly eight years. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced Conley received a 92-month sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon on February 9, 2023, following a conviction on four counts of a five-count indictment. The judge didn’t stop there – Conley’s federal time will run consecutive to a sentence he’s already serving in state court, meaning more time behind bars.

The charges stem from a January 25, 2021 shooting in Harvey, Louisiana. Detectives investigating the shooting uncovered a treasure trove of illegal goods during a search of Conley’s vehicle: narcotics and a firearm. This led to an arrest warrant issued by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO), and Conley was taken into custody on May 17, 2021. But the discovery didn’t end there. A subsequent search during his arrest revealed another firearm hidden in the engine compartment of his vehicle, alongside more narcotics.

Specifically, Conley was found guilty of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana (Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(D)). He also faced charges as a felon in possession of a firearm (Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2)). The indictment further alleged possession with the intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and marijuana (Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and (b)(1)(D)). A five-count indictment, four counts stuck – this wasn’t a lucky break for Conley.

This case isn’t an isolated incident; it’s part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a broad initiative designed to bring together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime and gun violence. Launched in May 2021, the revamped PSN focuses on fostering community trust, supporting local violence prevention programs, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and meticulously tracking results. The feds are sending a message: gun and drug crime won’t be tolerated.

U.S. Attorney Evans offered praise for the collaborative effort of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The investigation and prosecution highlight the importance of interagency cooperation in dismantling criminal networks. Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich, of the Violent Crime Unit, handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In addition to the 92-month prison sentence, Conley will also serve three years of supervised release upon his release and is responsible for a mandatory $400 special assessment fee. This case serves as a stark reminder that possessing illegal firearms and trafficking narcotics carries serious consequences, particularly when combined with a prior criminal record. Conley’s combined state and federal sentences prove that criminals can’t simply evade justice by hopping between jurisdictions.