A Tangipahoa Parish resident, Rodney Berry, 43, was sentenced to five years in federal prison on December 4, 2025. The sentencing by U.S. District Judge Barry Ashe followed Berry’s guilty plea to three counts related to drug offenses.
Berry pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, illegal use of a communications facility, and possession with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine. The charges stem from an indictment alleging that Berry and seven others conspired over an extended period ending in September 2024 to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Tangipahoa Parish area using electronic communications.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Hammond Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office for their roles in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Sarver prosecuted the case.
The prosecution was conducted under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by coordinating efforts among law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The Department of Justice strengthened this initiative with a strategy launched on May 26, 2021 that emphasizes building trust within communities and supporting prevention efforts. More information about PSN is available at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
The investigation was also part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program. OCDETF targets major criminal organizations through coordinated action among multiple agencies led by prosecutors using intelligence-driven strategies. Details about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf.
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