Garrett McClain Jr., 24, of Tangipahoa Parish, pleaded guilty on January 29, 2026, to charges of possession with intent to distribute significant amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Barry Ashe in New Orleans, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
McClain admitted guilt to possessing with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine and 40 grams of fentanyl. Sentencing is set for May 7, 2026. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could receive up to life imprisonment, a fine as high as $10 million, and at least five years of supervised release.
Court documents indicate that McClain conspired with others to distribute these drugs throughout the Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, and Washington Parishes region until at least June 26, 2025. Law enforcement attempted a traffic stop after McClain was observed leaving a residence in Tickfaw, Louisiana. He led officers on a high-speed chase before abandoning his vehicle and fleeing on foot. Authorities arrested him shortly after and seized a backpack containing 226 grams of pure methamphetamine, 336 grams of marijuana, and 77 grams of fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle stated: “I want to commend 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 for their work on this case.” He added that FORT also received support from the Louisiana State Police, Bogalusa Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot from the Narcotics Unit is prosecuting the case.
