NEW ORLEANS, LA - VAN VESSEL, ("VESSEL"), age 50, of Houma, Louisiana was sentenced on June 24, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Lance Africk to 262 months imprisonment, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to possessing over 500 grams of methamphetamine intended for distribution, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.

According to court records, during the early morning hours of May 18, 2025, Houma Police Department officers attempted to stop a vehicle driven by VESSEL for not having operating headlights and taillights. VESSEL fled from officers at a high rate of speed, but ultimately crashed his vehicle, and was arrested. A search of the vehicle VESSEL crashed revealed over seven (7) pounds of methamphetamine packaged in a large, vacuum sealed bag, located on the passenger floorboard. VESSEL later admitted to law enforcement that he knew the methamphetamine was in the vehicle, and that he possessed this 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 was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Violent Crimes Unit.