Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has delivered a sentence in the case against Desha Cooper, a 32-year-old resident of Ocoee. Cooper has been sentenced to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison following his conviction for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. This sentence comes after Cooper pleaded guilty on October 24, 2023.
A Repeat Offense Leads to Federal Prison Time
The events leading to Cooper’s arrest and subsequent sentencing took place on the night of February 3, 2023. An officer from the Orlando Police Department, during a routine traffic stop, discovered Cooper driving a vehicle with a loaded firearm on the driver’s side floorboard. Cooper attempted to evade arrest by fleeing on foot. However, the United States Marshals Service successfully located and apprehended him later.
At the time of his arrest, Cooper was found in possession of a second loaded firearm. This possession was particularly egregious, given Cooper’s status as a previously convicted felon. Having already served time in federal prison for a firearm offense, Cooper was legally prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition under federal law.
The case against Cooper was a collaborative effort between various law enforcement agencies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation, receiving valuable support from the Orlando Police Department and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan was responsible for the prosecution.
Cooper’s case is part of the larger initiative, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is a comprehensive program that aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement agencies at all levels with the communities they serve.
