Illegal Possession of Methamphetamine Sends Houston Man to Federal Prison

LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing today of a Houston man for illegal possession of methamphetamine in the Western District of Louisiana. United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Paul Powell, 29, to 135 months (11 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Powell pleaded guilty to the charge on April 21, 2023.

On September 4, 2019, law enforcement agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office observed a black Mercedes Benz being driven on the roadway without two working headlights as required by state law. The driver of the Mercedes was later determined to be Powell. Agents observed the vehicle stop at a residence and Powell went inside for a brief time, then returned to the vehicle. Law enforcement agents activated their lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but Powell refused to stop and began to flee from agents traveling at a high rate of speed. Powell continued to flee and when arriving on Elephant Walk Road in Lafayette, exited the vehicle, along with an unknown passenger and they fled on foot running through several yards and jumping several fences.  Powell was apprehended and placed in handcuffs. A probable cause search was conducted of his vehicle and agents located a digital scale and a bag containing methamphetamine. Law enforcement agents questioned Powell the next day and he admitted that the methamphetamine belonged to him.

The suspected narcotics were sent to the DEA Laboratory for analysis, and it was determined that the substance was positive for methamphetamine and had a net weight of 210 grams plus or minus 0.2 grams.

The case was investigated by the DEA and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy.

# # #