Rodney Berry, 42, of Tangipahoa Parish, pleaded guilty on August 28, 2025, to multiple violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act before United States District Judge Barry Ashe. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
Berry admitted guilt to three counts in the indictment against him. Count 1 charged him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, under Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846. Count 6 involved 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 at least 50 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine, violating Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B).
For Counts 1 and 7, Berry faces a minimum sentence of five years and up to forty years in prison, fines up to $5 million for each count, and at least four years of supervised release after imprisonment. For Count 6, he could receive up to four years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, and up to one year of supervised release following imprisonment. Each charge also carries a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
The indictment states that from an unknown date until at least September 10, 2024, Berry and seven others conspired to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout Tangipahoa Parish in the Eastern District of Louisiana using wire and electronic communications.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led approach involving multiple agencies to target high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States. More information about OCDETF is available at http://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Acting United States Attorney Simpson commended the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Hammond Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office in this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Sarver from the Narcotics Unit is prosecuting the case.
