New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Fentanyl and Heroin

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RODNEY OFFRAY, age 49, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on December 19, 2023 before U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion 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, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents began investigating OFFRAY in July 2023 for narcotics distribution in New Orleans. The ATF used a confidential informant and an undercover agent to conduct three controlled purchases, totaling 125 grams of heroin and fentanyl, from OFFRAY.  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.

For Count 1, OFFRAY faces up to twenty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. For Counts 2 and 3, OFFRAY faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of five years, up to forty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Additionally, OFFRAY faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count.

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 Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Unit.