Derrick Fremen, False Statement to United States Coast Guard, Louisiana 2023

A high-ranking merchant mariner from Jefferson Parish has been indicted for submitting false information to authorities, according to a federal indictment.

Derrick Fremen, age 51, is accused of making a false statement to the United States Coast Guard in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(3). This charge carries a prison term of up to five years, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

The alleged incident occurred in 2018 when Fremen applied for a job to work on a vessel. As part of the hiring process, he was required to undergo a drug screening, which he failed. In response, Fremen submitted an altered medication prescription to the United States Coast Guard on July 1, 2019, in an attempt to justify his failed drug test.

Fremen, a licensed merchant mariner and holder of a 100-Ton United States Coast Guard master’s license, was arrested on September 28, 2023.

The matter is currently set for trial on December 4, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk in New Orleans, Louisiana.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans reminded the public that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by Special Agents of the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, Gulf Region. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

White Collar Crime

Celso Echeverria-Mercado, Money Laundering, Nevada 2001

Jan 15, 2001

White Collar Crime

Pushpesh Kumar Baid, Fraud Scheme, New York 2025

Jan 23, 2026

White Collar Crime

Carl Lee, Money Laundering, Nevada 2002

Jan 15, 2002

White Collar Crime

Rocha Jacobo, Wire Fraud, California 2014

Jan 15, 2014