Houston Man Guilty of Trafficking Drugs through Southeast Texas

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Houston man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.

Michael Tran, 31, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson.

According to court documents, on Oct. 15, 2020, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Tran for unsafely crossing through the Exxon station parking lot, located at the corner of College Street and Major Drive in Beaumont.  Tran was stopped nearby at South Major Drive and Willow Bend Road, where law enforcement immediately noticed an overwhelming odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.  A search of the vehicle revealed 6.4 pounds of marijuana, 305 grams of fentanyl pills, 305 grams of methamphetamine pills, and $50,392.00 in cash, located in a false compartment in the backseat. Tran was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 6, 2022 and charged with federal drug trafficking violations.

“If you are dealing dangerous drugs in our community we are coming after you,” said U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.  “These drugs are capable of killing many people.  There is a dangerous wave of illegal fentanyl poisoning our citizens.  Please talk about this, discuss this, share this message with others to save a life.  In 2022, fentanyl is suspected of killing more Americans than car crashes and gun crimes combined.  This is a problem.”

Tran faces up to 40 years in federal prison.  The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Anderson.

###