Jury convicts Houston man who distributed meth and firearms from motel

HOUSTON - A 34-year-old self-proclaimed Crips street gang member has been convicted of drug trafficking and firearm offenses, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.

A federal jury in Houston deliberated for approximately 90 minutes before convicting Todd McCoy of three counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and three counts of using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug offense following a four-day trial.

Over the course of a five-month investigation, McCoy sold approximately 215 grams of meth and four firearms during multiple meetings in Houston.

The jury heard that beginning in December 2024, McCoy conducted a series of transactions out of a motel on South Main Street. In one instance, McCoy said he had several pistols for sale and later sent photos of additional firearms, including a pistol with an extended magazine.

Testimony revealed McCoy claimed he controlled the motel and used lookouts for protection and had ready access to large quantities of meth and other drugs. McCoy also claimed he was a member of the Crips street gang.

The defense attempted to convince the jury that evidence was improperly handled and the investigation was otherwise sloppy and unreliable. The jury did not believe those claims and found McCoy guilty as charged.

U.S. District Judge David Hittner presided over trial and set sentencing for July 9. At that time, McCoy faces up to life in prison.

The FBI and Houston Police Department conducted the investigation. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted forensic testing of the meth McCoy sold and provided an expert witness who testify regarding the basics of drug trafficking. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Ganz and Hunter Brown are prosecuting the case.