Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Deborah Cooper, a 54-year-old resident of New Orleans, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. The sentencing was delivered by U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo on July 17, 2025. Cooper will also serve five years of supervised release following her imprisonment and is required to pay a $700 fine and restitution.
In February, a jury found Cooper guilty on all seven counts against her. These included conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), using and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and tampering with proceedings.
Court documents revealed that Cooper and an unidentified accomplice robbed Igor’s Lounge on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans twice in early 2022. During the first incident in February, they held a bartender at gunpoint and stole over $1,200. In March, they returned to rob another bartender at gunpoint, stealing more than $7,000.
The New Orleans Police Department investigated the robberies and obtained surveillance footage showing the robbers using Cooper’s Dodge Ram pickup truck during the February incident. A search warrant led to the discovery of clothing worn during the robberies, $1,200 in cash, and a Smith & Wesson firearm at Cooper’s residence.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives alongside the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Brittany Reed and Sarah Dawkins from the Violent Crime/Strike Force Unit are prosecuting it.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. For more information about PSN, visit Justice.gov/PSN.
