A federal grand jury has indicted Renell Nathaniel Cooper, 32, of Birmingham, Alabama, on charges of trafficking methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms, Acting U.S. Attorney Catherine L. Crosby announced on Mar. 19.
The indictment alleges that Cooper possessed with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and was a felon in possession of a firearm. The charges stem from two separate incidents in May and June 2025 in Jefferson County, Alabama, where Cooper allegedly sold methamphetamine and possessed four firearms despite being prohibited due to prior felony convictions in Shelby County and Jefferson County.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case along with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison J. Garnett is prosecuting the case.
According to the announcement, this prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to use Department of Justice resources to address illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime.
Authorities remind that an indictment contains only charges and that defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
