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Six New Orleans Residents Guilty of Drug, Firearms, and Robbery Crimes
In a shocking turn of events, six New Orleans residents have pleaded guilty to charges related to the armed robbery of an undercover ATF agent. The incident occurred on August 29, 2023, when VERNELL WOODARD, QUINDELE ADDISON, SHEENA RUDOLPH, and CORIS ADDISON conspired to distribute methamphetamine to an undercover ATF agent and another individual at a Westbank, New Orleans apartment.
According to court records, the plan came to fruition when VERNELL WOODARD, QUINDELE ADDISON, and SHEENA RUDOLPH sold the undercover ATF agent approximately seven grams of pure methamphetamine. However, after the methamphetamine distribution deal was completed, VERNELL WOODARD arranged for the undercover ATF agent and the other individual to return to the apartment the following day to purchase more drugs.
When the undercover ATF agent and the other individual arrived at the apartment complex the next day, VERNELL WOODARD told them to return to the same apartment. As they were coming upstairs, MICHAEL LOTT hid in a closet inside the apartment. Once the undercover ATF agent and the other individual were inside the apartment, DIANTA TROPEZ entered, pointed a Glock pistol at the undercover ATF agent and the other individual, and demanded they get down and hand over their possessions.
Simultaneously, MICHAEL LOTT emerged from the closet, pointed the AR-15 style weapon at them, and also demanded they turn over their possessions. Other agents monitoring the deal realized something was wrong and began responding, which stopped the robbery. MICHAEL LOTT and DIANTA TROPEZ heard the law enforcement response and tried to flee, but the undercover ATF agent and the other individual went onto the third-floor apartment balcony and began climbing down to escape.
During their climb, the agent fell and sustained severe injuries. As a result of this criminal conduct, MICHAEL LOTT, DIANTA TROPEZ, VERNELL WOODARD, QUINDELE ADDISON, SHEENA RUDOLPH, and CORIS ADDISON were indicted on eleven-counts related to the drug trafficking and armed robbery.
The defendants have all pleaded guilty to various charges, with SHEENA RUDOLPH and CORIS ADDISON set for sentencing on January 22, 2025. SHEENA RUDOLPH faces at least five years up to forty years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000, at least four years of supervised release, and a $100 per count mandatory special assessment.
Defendants and their charges:
- DIANTA TROPEZ: Conspiring to rob a person of money belonging to the United States, armed robbery of a person of money belonging to the United States, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, assaulting an officer of the United States with a deadly weapon, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
- MICHAEL LOTT: Conspiring to rob a person of money belonging to the United States, armed robbery of a person of money belonging to the United States, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, assaulting an officer of the United States with a deadly weapon, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
- VERNELL WOODARD: Methamphetamine conspiracy, distribution of methamphetamine, participation in armed robbery, and maintaining a drug involved premises.
- QUINDELE ADDISON: Methamphetamine conspiracy, distribution of methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and maintaining a drug involved premises.
- SHEENA RUDOLPH: Methamphetamine conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine.
- CORIS ADDISON: Methamphetamine conspiracy.
New Orleans, Louisiana – August 14, 2024 (sentencing date for SHEENA RUDOLPH) and August 29, 2024 (sentencing date for CORIS ADDISON).
VERONELLA WOODARD, QUINDELE ADDISON, SHEENA RUDOLPH, CORIS ADDISON, DIANTA TROPEZ, and MICHAEL LOTT were arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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