Houma Man Guilty of Possessing Methamphetamine for Distribution

NEW ORLEANS, LA - VAN VESSEL, ("VESSEL"), age 50, of Houma, pled guilty on March 18, 2026 before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. Sentencing is scheduled for June 24, 2026.

At sentencing, VESSEL faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, at least five years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

According to the indictment, during the early morning hours of May 18, 2025, Houma Police Department officers attempted to stop a vehicle driven by VESSEL for lacking operational headlights and taillights. VESSEL attempted to flee but ultimately crashed his vehicle and was arrested. A search of the vehicle VESSEL crashed revealed over seven (7) pounds of methamphetamine on the passenger floorboard packaged in a large, vacuum sealed bag. VESSEL later admitted to law enforcement that he knew the methamphetamine was in the vehicle and he possessed the methamphetamine for distribution purposes.

United States Attorney Courcelle praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations, the Houma Police Department, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.