Tangipahoa Parish Man Guilty of Violating Federal Controlled Substances Act

NEW ORLEANS, LA - RODNEY BERRY ("BERRY"), age 42, plead guilty on August 28, 2025, to violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act before United States District Judge Barry Ashe, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.

BERRY plead guilty to Counts 1, 6, and 7 of the indictment pending against him. Count 1 charged BERRY with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); § 841(b)(1)(A); § 841(b)(1)(B); and 846. Count 6 charged BERRY with illegal use of a communications facility, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. §843(b) and Title 18, U.S.C. §2. Count 7 charged BERRY with possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and § 841(b)(1)(B).

On Count 1, BERRY faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment. On Count 6, BERRY faces up to 4 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 1 year of supervised release following imprisonment. On Count 7, BERRY faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment. As to each charge, BERRY also faces payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

According to the indictment, beginning at a time unknown, but continuing until at least September 10, 2024, BERRY and seven other individuals conspired to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout the Tangipahoa Parish region of the Eastern District of Louisiana. The conspiracy was carried out through wire and electronic communications.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://http://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Acting United States Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Hammond Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Sarver of the Narcotics Unit.