Metairie Man Indicted for Drug and Weapons Offenses

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today the unsealing of a four-count indictment returned on July 20, 2023, against ROOSEVELT COCKHERAN, age 39 and a resident of Metairie, Louisiana. COCKHERAN is charged in Count One with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine in violation Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, in Count Two with possession with intent to distribute cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, 841(a)(1) & (b)(1)(C), in Count Three with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c) and in Count Four with Felon in Possession of Firearm in violation of Title, 18 United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  The indictment also contains a sentencing enhancement provision which alleges two qualifying prior serious drug felonies.

As to Count One, COCKHERAN faces a term imprisonment of not less than 10 years and a maximum term of life, a fine of $8,000,000 and 8 years of supervised release; as to Count Two, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a $1,000,000 fine, and three years of supervised release; as to Count Three, he faces a mandatory consecutive term of five years imprisonment up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release; and as to Count Four, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release .  Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment of $100.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

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.

The case was investigated by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Miller is assigned the prosecution.