On September 15, 2026, United States District Judge Jerry Edwards, Jr. handed down federal prison sentences to two Alexandria residents for serious drug and firearm offenses, underscoring the community‑safety focus of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative.
Terrence D. Taylor, Jr.
Terrence D. Taylor, Jr., 28, received a 102‑month prison term followed by six years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug‑trafficking crime. Taylor, a previously convicted felon, was stopped by Louisiana Probation and Parole and Louisiana State Police on May 9, 2024, on outstanding warrants. Officers observed marijuana in plain view inside his home and discovered a backpack containing approximately 27.87 grams of methamphetamine—enough for distribution—and a loaded Glock Model 42 that was later identified as stolen.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Louisiana Probation and Parole, and the Louisiana State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Daniel Siefker, Jr., with paralegal specialist Denise Duhon, prosecuted the case.
Mikell Dewayne Boyd
Mikell Dewayne Boyd, 30, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person subject to a domestic‑violence protective order. On March 31, 2025, Boyd was found in possession of a loaded Omni Hybrid .223 pistol and accompanying .223 ammunition, despite a court order that expressly prohibited him from possessing any firearm.
The ATF and Alexandria Police Department investigated Boyd’s case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Johnson, with legal assistant Tanya Broussard, handled the prosecution.
Federal Response and Local Impact
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana announced the sentences, noting that both cases were part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide effort that coordinates federal, state, local, and tribal law‑enforcement partners to combat violent crime. PSN emphasizes rapid federal response, strategic partnerships, and accountability through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses.
The initiative also aligns with President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, which aim to provide a comprehensive federal response to pressing public‑safety challenges. Local officials praised the outcomes as a clear message that illegal drug distribution and unlawful firearm possession will not be tolerated in Alexandria.
Community Reaction
Community leaders and residents expressed relief that the convictions send a deterrent signal to those who would threaten the safety of families in the city. The sentences reinforce the commitment of Alexandria’s law‑enforcement agencies to protect neighborhoods and uphold the rule of law.
These prosecutions demonstrate how coordinated federal and local efforts can effectively address drug trafficking and illegal firearms, contributing to a safer environment for families and reinforcing the values of personal liberty and community responsibility.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
