Convicted Felon Accused of Trafficking 28 Pounds of Meth, Possessing Guns at Amarillo Motel

AMARILLO, Texas – A federal grand jury has indicted an Amarillo man after investigators allegedly found methamphetamine and two firearms during a motel room search, with authorities claiming he admitted to distributing approximately 28 pounds of methamphetamine over several months.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould announced that 51-year-old Mason Allan McCarty was indicted July 23 on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Amarillo Police Department officers executed a search warrant on June 30 at the Traveler Motel in Amarillo, where McCarty was the target of the investigation.

Investigators said McCarty was detained during the search, and officers allegedly found approximately 28 grams of suspected methamphetamine in his pocket.

Inside the motel room, officers reported finding an additional bag containing about 29 grams of suspected methamphetamine packaged similarly to the drugs recovered from McCarty. Officers also recovered a Bersa .380-caliber pistol and a Ruger .22-caliber pistol from the room.

According to the complaint, McCarty was advised of his constitutional rights and admitted to possessing both firearms. Investigators also allege he admitted to distributing approximately 28 pounds of methamphetamine over the previous several months.

Federal authorities took custody of McCarty from state officials on July 13, and he remains detained pending further court proceedings.

If convicted, McCarty faces a maximum possible sentence of life in federal prison.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Amarillo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Marie Bell of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Amarillo is prosecuting the case.

As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and McCarty is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.