New Orleans Man Sentenced for Trafficking Fentanyl and Heroin

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - RODNEY OFFRAY ("OFFRAY"), age 49, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on August 13, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion after previously pleading guilty to a three-count indictment charging him with distribution of fentanyl and heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents began investigating OFFRAY in July 2023 for narcotics distribution in New Orleans. The ATF used an undercover operation to conduct three controlled purchases from OFFRAY, totaling 125 grams of heroin and fentanyl. On October 10, 2023, agents arrested OFFRAY, searched his residence, and located a semi-automatic rifle, 85 grams of heroin, 69 grams of cocaine, 120 fentanyl pills, and 13 grams of crack cocaine.

Judge Papillion sentenced OFFRAY to 84 months imprisonment on all counts to run concurrently. Judge Papillion also ordered that OFFRAY be placed on four (4) years of supervised release and pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

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, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Briana Williams of the Narcotics Unit.