Defendant Pleads Guilty to Hauling 15 Kilograms of Cocaine Across Alabama

Montgomery, AL - Robert Francis Kelly (55), of Minersville, Pennsylvania, pled guilty earlier today to a one count indictment for possessing more than five kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute, announced George L. Beck, Jr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.

According to court documents, Kelly was a professional truck driver, who was driving his eighteen-wheeler on I-85 when he was pulled over by an Alabama State Trooper near Exit 16, on the east side of Montgomery. 

When asked, Kelly first told law enforcement that he was driving down from Delaware.  After being confronted with contrary records, Kelly admitted that he lied to law enforcement, and added that he was actually driving from an area just a few miles from the United States-Mexican Border and was heading up towards Atlanta.  Based on other contradictions and suspicious evidence, law enforcement initiated a search of the vehicle.

Agents found approximately fifteen (15) kilograms of cocaine in a secret compartment in the truck.  The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) estimates that the street value of 15 kilograms of cocaine is approximately a half-million dollars.

Kelly is currently facing sentence of 10 years to life in prison for this offense.  His sentencing hearing will be scheduled in the next few months.

“Despite the influx of heroin, fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, cocaine continues to be a menace throughout Alabama,” stated U.S. Attorney Beck.  “The abuse of illegal drugs destroys families and businesses and we will continue to fight to keep our streets free from this poison.”

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration DEA and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bradley Bodiford.