ELLIS COUNTY, Texas — A Grand Prairie man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison after an Ellis County jury found him guilty of possessing fentanyl with intent to deliver.
Kelton Everett Evans Jr., 30, was convicted Wednesday, March 11, 2026, following a three day trial stemming from a 2024 traffic stop that led to the discovery of thousands of fentanyl pills.
According to prosecutors, the case began July 3, 2024, when Italy Police Officer Cameron Geddie stopped a vehicle on Interstate 35 for expired registration. During the stop, the officer smelled marijuana and conducted a search of the vehicle.
Investigators discovered more than 2,500 pills that appeared to be oxycodone. Evans, who was a passenger in the vehicle, claimed ownership of the pills but told officers they were for his personal use.
Testing by the Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab later confirmed the pills were actually 2,573 fentanyl tablets weighing about 280 grams.
Prosecutors said the jury rejected Evans’ claim that he was only an addict and not involved in drug distribution. Jurors found him guilty of Possession of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1-B with Intent to Deliver more than 200 grams.
The jury then sentenced Evans to 60 years in prison. Under recent changes in parole law related to certain fentanyl offenses, Evans must serve at least half of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole, meaning he must serve 30 years before parole consideration.
Assistant County and District Attorneys Kayce Witt and Kevin Boneberg prosecuted the case with assistance from Ellis County and District Attorney investigators Lyle Gensler and Stephen Cooper.
“Fentanyl disguised as another substance is one of the most dangerous drugs on our streets today,” Witt said. “This defendant chose to traffic in 2,573 counterfeit pills putting countless lives in danger, including the officers that attempt to enforce the law.”
The Ellis County District Attorney’s Office also credited Officer Cameron Geddie of the Italy Police Department and Officer Hunter Palmer of the Midlothian Police Department for their assistance in the case.
