A West Sacramento man has admitted his role in a multi-drug trafficking ring that prosecutors say operated out of a local motel, moving fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin through the region. James L. Kenney, 45, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to distribute the drugs and is now staring down a March 26, 2026 sentencing date that carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a potential life sentence, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The Case Against Kenney
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, court documents say Kenney and co-conspirator Kevin Leacy sold fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin between May and August 2025. Investigators arranged three controlled buys in May that yielded about 100 grams of fentanyl and 540 grams of pure methamphetamine, prosecutors say.
The federal release states that an August search of motel rooms tied to the operation turned up approximately 3.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 2 kilograms of cocaine and additional quantities of methamphetamine and heroin. Officials say the investigation was led by the FBI, with backup from the West Sacramento Police Department and the Yolo County Sheriff's Office.
Searches, Seizures and Local Reporting
Local coverage from Action News Now reports that the alleged trafficking operation used a West Sacramento motel as its base of operations. That reporting notes that charges remain pending against Leacy, who is presumed innocent at this stage. The station's account tracks with the federal release and fills in the local timeline of the May controlled buys and the August searches that produced the kilogram-level seizures.
Why It Matters
The size of the alleged stash, measured in kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine, highlights how large shipments of synthetic opioids are still surfacing in the area. California health officials have warned that fentanyl is driving most opioid-related deaths across the state, while Sacramento County has put an emphasis on naloxone distribution and other prevention efforts, according to the California Department of Public Health and Sacramento County Public Health.
What's Next in Court
Kenney is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on March 26, 2026, the U.S. Attorney's Office says. He faces a statutory mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a potential life term and a fine of up to $10 million. The actual sentence will be set after the court reviews the federal sentencing guidelines along with other relevant factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Harman and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew DeMoura are prosecuting the case.
Prosecutors have described the matter as the result of a broader federal investigation and have encouraged anyone with information to contact authorities, Action News Now reported. Charges against Leacy remain allegations unless and until they are proven in court.
