LAFAYETTE, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Charenton man pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana with intent to distribute.

Steven Quinn Vilcan, 46 of Charenton, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard Haik for one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. According to the guilty plea, law enforcement agents learned that marijuana was present at Vilcan’s home, which is located on Chitimacha tribal lands in Charenton. The home was searched on July 7, 2014, and 3.232 grams of marijuana were found inside a duffle bag in the closet of a spare bedroom.

Vilcan faces up to five years in prison, two years’ supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date was not set.

Jurisdiction in Indian Country is based upon the unique sovereign relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. Congress has criminalized certain acts that take place in Indian Country. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes all felony and misdemeanor cases arising in Indian Country that are within the jurisdiction of this office.

The FBI and the Chitimacha Tribal Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamilla A. Bynog and John Luke Walker are prosecuting the case.