New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty To Gun and Drug Offenses

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that SHEON COPPRUE, age 49, of New Orleans, pled guilty today to charges relating to drug trafficking, firearm possession, and bribery.

COPPRUE pled guilty to conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846. COPPRUE also pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), and bribery of a public official, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 201(b)(1).

According to Court documents, COPPRUE conspired with ALLEN EDGERSON a/k/a “King,” DARNELL JOHNSON a/k/a “Yaggi,” and RACHEL CESARIO to ship large quantities of methamphetamine from California to New Orleans. COPPRUE also bribed codefendant TONYA CALVIN, a postal worker, to deliver the drug-filled packages to him in New Orleans. COPPRUE, who was a felon and prohibited from possessing firearms, was caught with four firearms that he kept at his home and another address where he stored narcotics.

For the drug conspiracy, COPPRUE faces a term of imprisonment of at least ten years and up to life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release, following any term of imprisonment. For the crime of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, COPPRUE faces up to ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. For the bribery count, COPPRUE faces up to fifteen years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

Judge Sarah S. Vance set COPPRUE’s sentencing for December 9, 2020. Trial of the remaining defendants is currently set for October 5, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Louisiana State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas D. Moses is in charge of the prosecution.