Two Houston residents, Edgar Prudencio Ruiz and Damian Lee Gutierrez, were sentenced on Mar. 23 to 162 months in federal prison for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
The case highlights the continued efforts by law enforcement agencies in the region to combat large-scale drug trafficking activities that impact public safety.
A jury found both men guilty after a two-day trial in November 2025. The sentencing by U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen also includes five years of supervised release following their prison terms. During the hearing, evidence showed that the methamphetamine was imported from Mexico and that both defendants communicated with others about pricing and delivery details. The court also considered information about their involvement in prior shootings and carrying loaded firearms during drug transactions.
According to testimony at trial, Gutierrez and Ruiz delivered five kilograms of methamphetamine to an undercover officer on June 17, 2025. Law enforcement followed them as they entered an apartment; later, Ruiz was seen carrying a box which he placed into a Toyota Tacoma truck before leaving with Gutierrez. After conducting a traffic stop where a K-9 alerted officers, authorities discovered ten gallon-sized bags of crystal meth inside the truck along with two loaded pistols—one near the ignition and another under the front passenger seat with an extended magazine.
Further investigation led authorities to seize approximately 122 more gallon-sized bags of crystal meth from one residence, each weighing around one kilogram. In total, nearly 133 kilograms of actual meth were recovered with an estimated street value exceeding $200,000.
Defense attorneys argued there was no fingerprint evidence tying their clients directly to the drugs; however, jurors did not accept this claim and found both men guilty as charged.
Both individuals will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility yet to be determined.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation with support from several local law enforcement agencies including Harris County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office as well as police departments in Houston, Pasadena, Stafford and La Porte along with Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas has included notable figures such as Alamdar Hamdani and Ryan Patrick among its former leaders according to its official history page. The office maintains locations throughout Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen and Brownsville as described on its official website. It is part of the U.S Department of Justice serving under the Attorney General according to its official website, employs more than 200 attorneys covering over nine million people across forty-three counties as detailed online, focuses on prosecuting federal crimes alongside civil cases for government interests according to its website, and has had leaders such as Alamdar Hamdani serve between 2022–2025 as noted on its history page.
