Jefferson Parish Man Sentenced for Heroin, Tapentadol and Marijuana Distribution Conspiracy and Possession

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - RODNEY COOPER ("COOPER"), age 33, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana was sentenced on October 30, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Jane T. Milazzo, to time served in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a $200 mandatory special assessment fee. COOPER previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, heroin, tapentadol, and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), 841(b)(1)(D), and 846; and possession with intent to distribute those substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D).

According to court documents, on January 6, 2022, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (JPSO), conducted surveillance in the 500 block of N. Elm Street in Metairie, Louisiana. COOPER was observed selling drugs, both individually, and with his co-conspirators, to customers who arrived in the area. When JPSO detectives approached COOPER, he fled and discarded a backpack containing heroin, tapentadol, and marijuana.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.