A 24-year-old man from Tangipahoa Parish, Garrett McClain Jr., has pleaded guilty to federal charges of possession with intent to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. The plea was entered on January 29, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Barry Ashe in New Orleans.
McClain admitted to possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and over 40 grams of fentanyl, which is a violation of federal drug laws under Title 21 U.S.C. §841(a)(1), §841(b)(1)(A), and §841(b)(1)(B). His sentencing is scheduled for May 7, 2026. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment, a fine up to $10 million, and at least five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, McClain and others conspired to distribute these drugs across Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, and Washington Parishes until at least June 26, 2025. Law enforcement officers attempted a traffic stop after observing McClain leaving a residence in Tickfaw, Louisiana. He led officers on a high-speed chase before fleeing on foot but was eventually apprehended. Authorities seized a backpack containing 226 grams of pure methamphetamine, 336 grams of marijuana, and 77 grams of fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle commented on the case: "U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT), Hammond Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, 22nd JDC District Attorney’s Office, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana National Guard. FORT was also assisted by the Louisiana State Police, Bogalusa Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office." The prosecution is being managed by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot from the Narcotics Unit.
