Joshua Picou, Fentanyl Trafficking, Louisiana 2023

Houma Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking Charges

A 30-year-old man from Houma, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to violating federal gun control and drug trafficking laws.

Joshua Picou, 30, of Houma, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on July 6, 2023, to distributing a substance containing fentanyl and cocaine and possessing fentanyl, cocaine base, and cocaine with the intent to distribute, all in violation of Title 21 United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C).

Picou further pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

According to court documents, Picou distributed a substance containing fentanyl and cocaine on May 27, June 2, and June 22, 2021. Later, on June 24, 2021, he possessed forty (40) grams or more of fentanyl, twenty-eight (28) grams or more of cocaine base, and a quantity of cocaine, with the intent to distribute those substances.

Picou also possessed two firearms, a Glock Model 17 handgun and a Springfield Armory XDM-9, while prohibited due to his prior criminal convictions, which include a felony possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in Louisiana and a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence in Louisiana.

At sentencing, Picou faces a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000.00 fine, and at least three (3) years of supervised release for distribution of fentanyl and cocaine as well as possession with intent to distribute cocaine charges. For possession with intent to distribute fentanyl or cocaine base, he faces a minimum of five (5) years and a maximum of forty (40) years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000.00 fine, and at least four (4) years of supervised release. For possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony offense, he faces a maximum of ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three (3) years of supervised release.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Homeland Securities Investigations and the Terrebonne Parish Sherriff’s Office in investigating this matter.

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