A Clovis man pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to distribute fentanyl in connection with a fatal overdose in Fresno, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith said in a statement.

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Lakota Tehya Wakley, 21, admitted to arranging drug sales between an overdose victim and co-defendant Austin Lloyd Kerns, 53, of Fresno, between Nov. 18 and Dec. 9, 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The victim purchased fentanyl pills from Kerns multiple times before dying of an overdose on Nov. 23. Prosecutors said Wakley received payments for facilitating the transactions.

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Wakley faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced June 23 by U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff.

Kerns, who faces related charges, is scheduled for a status conference on March 26 before Magistrate Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe. Upon arresting Kerns at his residence on Dec. 9, 2024, officers seized about 1,000 fentanyl pills, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and handgun parts.

The case was investigated by the multi-agency Fentanyl Overdose Resolution Team, which includes federal and local law enforcement.

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