Press Release
Terrebonne Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Fentanyl and Firearm Violation
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JOSHUA PICOU, age 30, of Houma, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on July 6, 2023 to violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans. Specifically, he pleaded guilty to distributing a substance containing fentanyl and cocaine and possessing fentanyl, cocaine base (“crack”), 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). He 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. On that same date, he possessed two firearms, a Glock Model 17 handgun and a Springfield Armory XDM-9. PICOU possessed those firearms while prohibited due to his prior criminal convictions. These convictions include a felony possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in Louisiana and a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence in Louisiana.
At sentencing, for distribution of fentanyl and cocaine as well as or possession with intent to distribute cocaine charges, 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, as to each charged count. 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. As to each charged count in the indictment , he also faces payment a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee.
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. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Homeland Securities Investigations and the Terrebonne Parish Sherriff’s Office in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Haller of the Violent Crime Unit.
Contact
Shane M.Jones
Public Information Officer
United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
United States Department
Updated July 7, 2023
Topic
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Component