North Platte Man convicted of meth distribution

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – A North Platte man was convicted of drug distribution Thursday in Lincoln.

Eddie Houpt was convicted of distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nebraska.

The 60-year-old was sentenced to a total of 100 months in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release, he will begin a four-year period of supervision.

On June 12, 2022, a fiduciary (“CI”) set up a controlled purchase with Houpt. Law enforcement provided the CI $1,300 to purchase two ounces of meth. Houpt picked up the CI and drove around for a while before dropping them off.

During the ride, the CI handed Houpt the money, and Houpt gave the CI a container containing two bags containing a white crystalline substance. The State Crime Lab confirmed the substance weighed 42.68 grams and contained at least 40 grams of actual meth.

This case was investigated by the Tri-City Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT), a task force consisting of law enforcement personnel from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Hastings Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Kearney Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol.

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