Louisiana Man Indicted For Trafficking Fentanyl, Crack, and Firearms Violations

Louisiana – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Joshua Picou, age 30, of Houma, Louisiana, was charged on April 28, 2022 in a seven-count indictment by a federal grand jury for violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and Federal Controlled Substances Act. Specifically, he is charged with distributing a substance containing fentanyl and cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). He is further charged with possessing fentanyl, cocaine base (“crack”), and cocaine with the intent to distribute in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C). Additionally, he is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 922(g)(9), and 924(c)(1)(A)(i), respectively.

According to court documents, Picou distributed a fentanyl and cocaine-laced substance on May 27, June 2, and June 22, 2021. Later, on June 24, 2021, he is accused of having forty (40) grams or more of fentanyl, twenty-eight (28) grams or more of cocaine base, and a quantity of cocaine in his possession with the intent to distribute the substances. On the same day, he is accused of having two firearms in his possession: a Glock Model 17 handgun and a Springfield Armory XDM-9. Picou is charged in the indictment with possessing those firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity while prohibited due to prior criminal convictions.

If convicted of distribution of fentanyl and cocaine in Counts 1–3 or possession with intent to distribute cocaine in Count 4, Picou faces up to twenty (20) years in prison, a $1,000,000.00 fine, at least three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee for each count. If convicted of fentanyl or cocaine base possession with intent to distribute, he faces a minimum of five (5) years and a maximum of forty (40) years in prison, a $5,000,000.00 fine, at least four (4) years of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee.

If convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, he faces a minimum of five (5) years in prison and a maximum of life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to five (5) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. If convicted of possessing a firearm by a person convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, he faces up to ten (10) years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00 for each count.

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

This case is being prosecuted as part of the federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s efforts to reduce violent crime. PSN is an evidence-based program that has been shown to reduce violent crime. PSN brings together a diverse range of stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime issues in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and collaborates with community-based prevention and reentry programs to achieve long-term crime reductions.

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 Charles D. Strauss.