West Sacramento Men Indicted on Federal Drug and Firearm Charges, FBI Says
A federal grand jury returned a 13‑count indictment this month against two men from West Sacramento, charging them with multiple drug trafficking offenses and, in one case, illegal firearm possession connected to an alleged drug trafficking organization. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Eric Grant and detailed in a public release from the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office. James Kenney, 45, and Kevin Leacy, 31, stand accused of selling fentanyl powder and methamphetamine over several months in 2025, while Leacy faces additional firearm counts because he is a convicted felon. The indictment represents a significant move by federal prosecutors to address drug distribution and gun violence at the local level, but it is important to remember that the charges are allegations at this stage and both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source note: This article is based on a public release from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Indictment and the Defendants
The indictment, handed down on September 11, 2025, charges James Kenney and Kevin Leacy with various federal drug trafficking crimes. The document itself is the formal charging instrument that a federal grand jury issues after hearing evidence presented by prosecutors. It does not constitute a finding of guilt; rather, it signals that a sufficient legal basis exists to proceed to trial. Federal grand jury proceedings are closed to the public and defense lawyers are not present, so the indictment reflects only the government’s side of the story at this early stage.
Kenney, 45, and Leacy, 31, are both residents of West Sacramento, a city in Yolo County near the state capital. According to the Department of Justice, the two men were allegedly part of a larger drug trafficking organization operating in the area. Law enforcement first began investigating the group in May 2025, and over the following months investigators developed evidence that both Kenney and Leacy were involved in selling narcotics. The specific drug‑trafficking counts in the indictment have not been enumerated in the public release beyond describing them as “various drug trafficking offenses,” but the announcement makes clear that the charges stem from the sale of fentanyl powder and methamphetamine.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid many times more potent than heroin and is responsible for a significant share of overdose-related public safety concerns nationwide. Methamphetamine, a powerful stimulant, also poses serious health and safety risks. The presence of these drugs in a community triggers strong law enforcement responses, especially when firearms are involved. Federal authorities often prioritize cases like this because they involve controlled substances that are commonly linked to violence and addiction crises. However, the indictment does not allege any overdose-related public safety concerns or injuries connected to the defendants’ alleged activities, and no such information has been publicly released.
What the Court Documents Allege
According to court documents cited in the FBI release, law enforcement’s investigation began in May 2025 after learning of a drug trafficking organization operating in West Sacramento. Through surveillance and investigative techniques, agents identified Kenney and Leacy as participants who sold fentanyl powder and methamphetamine. The precise methods they used, the quantities sold, and the number of transactions have not been detailed in the public statement, but the fact that the case advanced to a federal indictment suggests that investigators believe they gathered substantial evidence of illegal activity.
On August 28, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at the motel where Kenney and Leacy were residing. The search uncovered additional quantities of drugs beyond what had been sold earlier. Specifically, officers found more fentanyl powder, cocaine, and methamphetamine. The presence of cocaine is notable because it adds another controlled substance to the case, even though the original investigation focused on fentanyl and methamphetamine. The discovery inside the motel room strengthened the government’s case and may have contributed to the decision to seek a multi‑count indictment.
The search also resulted in the seizure of three firearms: a .40‑caliber Glock 23, a .40‑caliber Sig SP 2340, and a .380 Ruger LCP. All three were allegedly possessed by Kevin Leacy. Because Leacy had a prior felony conviction for second‑degree robbery with use of a firearm in 2013, federal law prohibits him from possessing any firearm or ammunition. The combination of drugs and guns in a single location often triggers additional charges because it suggests that the weapons were meant to protect the drugs or facilitate drug trafficking. That led prosecutors to charge Leacy with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Firearm Possession and Prior Conviction
The firearm charges against Kevin Leacy are rooted in his criminal history. Court records show that in 2013 he was convicted of second‑degree robbery with use of a firearm. That conviction placed him in a category of individuals who are federally barred from possessing firearms for life. The three weapons listed in the indictment—Glock, Sig, and Ruger—are all handguns, and at least two of them are chambered in .40 caliber, a common round for law enforcement and self‑defense. The .380 Ruger is a compact pistol often used for concealed carry. How Leacy obtained the firearms is not described in the public release, and no information about whether they were purchased legally, stolen, or privately transferred has been made available.
The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense is particularly serious. This statute, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), carries a mandatory consecutive sentence if the defendant is convicted. That means any time imposed for that count would be added to whatever sentence he might receive for the drug charges. The federal sentencing requirements for a § 924(c) conviction in a case involving drug trafficking is typically five years, to be served consecutively, but the exact penalty can vary depending on the facts. The indictment’s specific allegations will shape the sentencing exposure if Leacy is found guilty.
It is important to note that the government must prove both that Leacy knowingly possessed the firearms and that the possession was “in furtherance of” a drug trafficking crime. The phrase “in furtherance of” means the weapon must have advanced, promoted, or facilitated the drug offense in some way. It is not enough that a gun was simply present near drugs; the prosecution must establish a nexus. At this stage, the allegations are just that—allegations—and Leacy has not had an opportunity to challenge the evidence or present a defense.
The Investigation and Law Enforcement Collaboration
The case is the product of a multi‑agency investigation led by the FBI, with assistance from the West Sacramento Police Department and the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office. Such collaboration is common in federal drug cases, where local knowledge and federal resources are combined to build a case that can be prosecuted in U.S. District Court. The FBI’s involvement often brings access to broader investigative tools, including federal grand jury subpoenas, wiretap authorization, and forensic accounting capabilities, though the public release does not specify which tools were used here.
The investigation apparently began in May 2025, meaning that it lasted roughly four months before search warrants were executed in August. That is a relatively short timeframe for a federal drug case, suggesting that investigators may have had a head start, perhaps through a controlled buy, confidential informant, or earlier intelligence. The September indictment followed just two weeks after the August search, indicating that prosecutors moved quickly once the additional evidence was gathered. The swift timeline underscores the seriousness with which federal authorities view the combination of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and firearms
Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Harman and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew DeMoura are listed as the prosecutors handling the case. Their names appear in the public announcement, which is typical for cases of this nature. The involvement of a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, who is often a state or local prosecutor cross‑designated to handle federal cases, reflects the close partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement agencies.
Federal Initiatives: Operation Take Back America and Project Safe Neighborhoods
The indictment announcement explicitly ties this case to two federal initiatives: Operation Take Back America and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Operation Take Back America is described as a nationwide effort 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.” The press release states that the operation streamlines efforts from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods. It is unclear from the release how exactly this case fits into those goals beyond being a drug and firearm prosecution, but the mention signals a top‑down emphasis on aggressive enforcement.
Project Safe Neighborhoods, which predates Operation Take Back America, is a program that brings together law enforcement at all levels to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice relaunched a violent crime reduction strategy under PSN in 2021 with four core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community‑based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The West Sacramento case appears to fit the PSN model by targeting individuals who allegedly combined drug trafficking with illegal firearm possession, two factors that often contribute to neighborhood violence.
Including these program labels in an indictment announcement is not unusual. Federal agencies routinely connect specific cases to larger initiatives to demonstrate how their resources are being used. However, such framing can also be viewed as promotional and should be read with an awareness that the allegations remain unproven. The defendants have not been convicted, and the programs themselves do not change the evidentiary burden the government must meet at trial. A reader should understand that the mention of these initiatives does not make the allegations stronger or weaker; it simply places the case in the context of ongoing federal enforcement priorities.
Potential Penalties and Sentencing
If convicted, James Kenney and Kevin Leacy face substantial prison terms. The public release states that Kenney faces a federal sentencing requirements sentence of 10 years in prison, up to a maximum of life imprisonment, and a fine of up to $10 million. Leacy faces a federal sentencing requirements of 15 years, also with a possible life sentence and a $10 million fine. The difference in the federal sentencing requirements may have reflects the additional firearm charges Leacy is facing. It is important to recognize that these are statutory penalties, established by Congress, and the actual sentence would be determined by a federal judge after considering advisory sentencing considerations, any plea agreements, and the specific circumstances of the offenses.
Federal sentencing considerations take into account factors such as the type and quantity of drugs, the defendant’s criminal history, acceptance of responsibility, and any role adjustments (e.g., whether the defendant was a leader or minor participant). The guidelines are not binding, but judges must calculate and consider them. Because the indictment refers to fentanyl powder and methamphetamine, the drug quantity will be a key driver of the guidelines. Even a relatively small amount of fentanyl can trigger high offense levels under the guidelines, which heavily weight the potency of the substance.
The $10 million fine is the maximum allowed by statute, but fines of that magnitude are rarely imposed on individual defendants unless they have substantial assets. Financial penalties may also include forfeiture of assets connected to the drug trafficking, though the release does not mention any forfeiture counts.
What Remains Unclear
Despite the detail provided in the FBI release, several important questions remain unanswered. The public statement does not reveal the specifics of the drug trafficking organization’s structure, who else might be involved, or whether any additional arrests are anticipated. It is possible that the investigation is ongoing and that other individuals could be charged later. The indictment itself is sealed or partially under seal until the defendants are arraigned, so more information may become available once they appear in court.
No information has been provided about how the defendants allegedly obtained the drugs, what quantities were involved, or how the sales were conducted. There is also no mention of whether any controlled buys were made or whether informants were used. Those details could emerge during discovery or at trial. Additionally, the release does not specify whether the defendants have legal representation, have been arrested, or are scheduled for an initial appearance. Federal cases typically involve an arrest warrant issued with the indictment, and the defendants are taken into custody after being indicted, but that process has not been described.
Finally, the public release does not address the potential impact on the West Sacramento community. The presence of a drug trafficking organization selling fentanyl and methamphetamine raises concerns about addiction, overdoses, and associated property crime. However, the release includes no data on local drug trends or crime statistics, and this article does not add such information from outside sources. Readers are encouraged to await further developments in court and to rely on official statements for confirmed facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the charges against James Kenney and Kevin Leacy?
Both men are charged with various drug trafficking offenses in a 13‑count federal indictment. Kevin Leacy is additionally charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Why is Kevin Leacy facing additional firearm charges?
Leacy has a prior 2013 felony conviction for second‑degree robbery with use of a firearm, which makes it illegal for him to possess any firearm. During the execution of a search warrant, law enforcement found three handguns in his possession, and because they were found alongside drugs, he was charged with possessing a firearm to further a drug trafficking crime.
What are the potential penalties if convicted?
James Kenney faces a federal sentencing requirements of 10 years in prison up to life, and a fine of up to $10 million. Kevin Leacy faces a federal sentencing requirements of 15 years up to life and the same fine. Actual sentences would be determined by a judge after considering sentencing considerations and other factors.
What is the status of the case now?
The case is in its early stages. The indictment was returned on September 11, 2025. The defendants have not yet been convicted; they are presumed innocent. The next step is typically an arraignment where they will enter a plea. Further court dates have not been publicly announced.
What does Operation Take Back America mean for this case?
This initiative is a nationwide Department of Justice effort to combat cartels and violent crime. The case was labeled part of this operation, which signals that it is a priority for federal prosecutors, but it does not change the legal standards or the defendants’ presumption of innocence.
Sources
This article is based on public information released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and has been independently rewritten, summarized, and contextualized by Shadab Chow News. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FBI, the Department of Justice, any court, or any government agency. It may be updated as more confirmed information becomes available.