A Philadelphia man, Norman Copper, 34, has been sentenced to 45 years in federal prison and five years of supervised release for drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Mark A. Kearney following Copper’s conviction earlier this year.
Copper was found guilty in March of possessing with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being a felon in possession of firearms. The charges were brought against him by superseding indictment in June 2024.
The investigation began after the Upper Merion Township Police Department received information from Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Parole Field Services. While on state parole for attempted murder, Copper was monitored through GPS and intercepted communications that suggested involvement in narcotics sales and illegal firearm possession.
According to evidence presented at trial, GPS data showed Copper spending significant time at an unapproved location in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania—an apartment belonging to his then-girlfriend. Surveillance revealed repeated visits to both the apartment and a related storage unit.
In January last year, law enforcement executed search warrants at these locations. They seized more than a pound and a half of methamphetamine, three semiautomatic handguns (one equipped with a silencer), and an AK-style semiautomatic rifle. As a convicted felon, Copper was prohibited from owning these weapons.
“Again and again, Norman Copper has flouted the law and chosen to engage in criminal activity that endangered the community,” said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf. “He was deeply involved in the distribution of large quantities of meth — and heavily armed to protect his profits, product, and drug dealer persona. Our office and our partners are working every day to put dangerous offenders like him behind bars, to make the public safer.”
Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division added: “This case is another example of our law enforcement cooperation to prevent violent crime. Copper, who was on parole for attempted murder, was heavily armed and loaded with drugs. Working with the Upper Merion Township Police Department, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, and Assistant United States Attorneys, Copper will no longer threaten his neighborhood.”
The case involved collaboration between local police departments as well as federal agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorneys Lindsey Mills and Justin Ashenfelter prosecuted the case.
