Armed drug trafficker and convicted felon heads to prison

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 31-year-old Mathis man has been ordered to federal prison for trafficking meth and illegally possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. 

Scott McCarty pleaded guilty Nov. 21, 2019.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos handed McCarty a total 200-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. He also received an additional 120 months for the firearms offense which will run concurrently.

On or about July 26, through approximately Aug. 26, 2019, McCarty and Parris Olivarez were involved in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth. The couple had distributed the narcotics from their house in Mathis on two separate occasions.

Law enforcement conducted a search warrant, resulting in the discovery of meth as well as two firearms, including a .45 caliber 1911 and 9mm Smith & Wesson found in and under their bed.

McCarty has prior felony convictions in Texas for failure to register as a sex offender and burglary of a habitation and is, therefore, prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition per federal law.

McCarty was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Olivarez, 29, Mathis, had also pleaded guilty and was previously sentenced to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety and sheriff’s offices in San Patricio and Jim Wells Counties conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Manning is prosecuting the case.