A federal jury convicted Cokley on Sarasota fentanyl and machine-gun counts.

A jury's guilty verdict is a finding of guilt on the counts it returned, and it is not the prison term. On Oct. 1, 2026, U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced that a federal jury convicted Kelvin Undray Cokley II, 31, of Sarasota, of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a machine gun in furtherance of drug trafficking. He faces a mandatory minimum of 40 years and up to life, which is exposure, not an imposed sentence. Sentencing is set for Dec. 30, 2026.

The DEA began investigating Sarasota fentanyl trafficking in November 2024. Trial evidence, as the U.S. Attorney's Office described it, was that Cokley used an apartment to store and cut fentanyl and that agents watched deals in a hotel parking lot. On a wiretapped call, he told co-defendant Elijah Jones it was time to "clean house" after they discussed suspected police activity. Within hours, agents executed three search warrants. That sequence is the government's trial account. The guilty verdicts are the jury's findings on the counts, not a sentence.

In a bedroom, agents reported finding 10 firearms, ammunition, about 12.5 grams of a fentanyl mixture, a scale, and a satchel and a wallet. At a stash apartment, they reported finding more than 200 grams of fentanyl mixtures, xylazine, cutting agents, blenders, baggies, ammunition, and a loaded machine gun with an extended magazine. A loaded Pioneer Arms Hellpup rifle had Cokley's DNA on the grip and the trigger, as testing described by the government. Those seizure details are evidence the jury heard. They support the counts the jury found, and they are not the term the court will impose in December.

The court ordered forfeiture of firearms and cash. Prosecutors say he may face sentencing enhancements because the offenses came within 15 years of his release from state prison for a prior violent crime, and Florida Department of Corrections records, as cited in that announcement, show a prior 10-year term for aggravated battery. An enhancement the government may seek is not a sentence already entered. Co-defendant Elijah Jones was previously sentenced to five years in federal prison. That is Jones's judgment, not Cokley's. The investigation involved the DEA, the ATF, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, the Sarasota Police Department, the Tampa Police Department, and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.