Terrebonne Parish Man Pleads Guilty to Meth Trafficking and Firearms Charges, Faces Potential Life Sentence

In a courtroom revelation this month, 32-year-old Terrebonne Parish resident Percy Howard pled guilty to severe drug trafficking and firearms charges. Howard's plea, which took place last Thursday was in response to accusations of distributing sizable quantities of methamphetamine and illegally possessing a firearm. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison could be Howard's fate, raising stakes to potentially a life sentence, and accompanying fines that may soar as high as $10,000,000.00.

The charges detail Howard's involvement in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute, over 50 grams of methamphetamine and 500 grams of a mixture containing a detectible amount of methamphetamine. In addition, Howard pleaded guilty to a charge related to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The drug charges each come with serious consequences: at least ten years in prison, a hefty fine, and five years of supervised release. The firearm charge adds potential for up to 15 years imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines.

The collaborative investigative efforts that led to Howard's guilty plea were spearheaded by an array of law enforcement agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, and local forces such as the Houma Police Department, the Louisiana State Police, and sheriff's offices from Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes. Assistant United States Attorney Maurice Landrieu of the Narcotics Unit is credited with prosecuting the case, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Howard is waiting for his sentencing on February 25, 2025, as the seriousness of his crimes has led multiple agencies to work together to ensure he is held accountable.