United States Attorney David Metcalf has announced the conviction of Norman Copper, a 33-year-old resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Copper was found guilty on Friday of several charges: possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of firearms by a felon.
The charges were initially brought against Copper through a superseding indictment in June 2024. The case began when the Upper Merion Township Police Department received information from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Parole Field Services in December 2023. This information suggested that Copper, who was on state parole for attempted murder at the time, might be involved in narcotics sales and illegal firearm possession. As part of his parole conditions, he was required to wear a GPS monitor.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that GPS data placed Copper at an unapproved location in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Investigators identified this location as his then-girlfriend's apartment. Through surveillance efforts, detectives observed Copper frequently visiting this apartment and heading towards a storage unit linked to it.
In January last year, law enforcement executed search warrants at both the apartment and storage unit. They seized over one and a half pounds of methamphetamine along with three semiautomatic handguns—one equipped with a silencer—and an AK-style semiautomatic rifle. Due to his prior felony conviction, Copper was prohibited from possessing these weapons.
Copper is set to be sentenced on July 30. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 45 years imprisonment and could potentially receive life imprisonment.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Upper Merion Township Police Department, Montgomery County Detective Bureau, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Lindsey Mills and Justin Ashenfelter.