Detectives say the man, known only by a nickname, targeted women he met at nightclubs in north Harris County.
HOUSTON — Harris County sheriff’s detectives are searching for a nightclub regular known as “Cowboy,” accused of meeting women at bars along FM 1960 in north Harris County and assaulting them later at hotels. The Sheriff’s Office asked on Wednesday, Nov. 26, for help identifying the suspect and said more victims may be out there.
Investigators with the Adult Sex Crimes Unit said “Cowboy” is a familiar face at several FM 1960 venues and is known by that nickname among employees. They described him as about 50 years old and roughly 5 feet 10 inches tall. Detectives said he sometimes claims he may be a retired Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy, a detail investigators have not confirmed. Authorities said the man approaches women at clubs, gains their trust and then drives them to a hotel, where assaults occurred. The appeal for tips marks an active, open investigation heading into the holiday weekend, when nightlife traffic grows and deputies say awareness among club operators and patrons can surface leads quickly.
Detectives said the man has been spotted at multiple businesses along the busy FM 1960 corridor, also signed as Cypress Creek Parkway. Staff at one site in the 3900 block, Chayn’s Nightclub, told reporters they know the patron as “Cowboy” but said no assault has been reported at the club. The owners said they started working with detectives after officers contacted them last year, when a woman was seen leaving the club with the man. At Da Town Bar and Grill, head of security Keith Hendrix said the staff has posted the man’s image at the entrance and briefed employees. “We actually have it right here; as soon as people walk in, they can see the face,” Hendrix said. He added that the bar has told customers the man is not welcome if he shows up and that staff will alert authorities.
According to investigators, “Cowboy” frequents nightclubs in north Harris County, approaches women, and uses conversation to build a sense of familiarity before offering a ride. Detectives believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. The Sheriff’s Office provided a general description and said the man is known only by the nickname in the club scene; employees have not provided a legal name. Authorities added that the man has told people he might be a retired deputy, but detectives emphasized that claim remains unverified. The Adult Sex Crimes Unit asked anyone who recognizes the man or knows his name to contact investigators by phone or email. In a message to media, officials said the unit is reviewing earlier reports tied to hotels in the area and compiling surveillance images collected from businesses on the corridor.
FM 1960 stretches across the north side of the county and includes a concentration of late-night venues, restaurants and hotels near Kuykendahl, Champion Forest and Veterans Memorial. Chayn’s Nightclub lists a Cypress Creek Parkway address along that stretch and has operated for decades as a dance club. The corridor is covered by multiple agencies—HCSO patrol districts and nearby constable precincts—who often share camera footage from parking lots and exterior walls when cases touch several locations. Detectives said the setting matters because people often meet inside one business and leave in the parking lot, making exterior video especially important to verify timelines. Records show nightlife-related thefts, assaults and intoxication calls are common along the roadway on weekends and holidays; deputies said separate case files can connect once investigators spot the same face, clothing or vehicle across reports.
Officials said the current case remains in the investigative stage. No arrest warrant has been issued for a named suspect because the man’s true identity has not been confirmed. Detectives are circulating a composite image and are logging tips as they arrive. The Sheriff’s Office asked callers to reference an internal case number provided to media for routing in the unit’s database. Investigators also said they are contacting nearby hotels and motels to pull guest lists tied to specific dates and to request any lobby or hallway camera clips for hours that match reported assaults. If a name is confirmed, detectives said they will seek a judge’s approval for search warrants and obtain hotel records, rideshare histories and phone data through standard procedures.
Law enforcement described a familiar pattern in the reports they have reviewed so far: the man meets women inside clubs on FM 1960, chats with them, then suggests a hotel or offers a ride after last call. Deputies said victims described a similar approach across incidents. While investigators would not release the names of potential victims, they said the accounts line up on key details such as the man’s age range, height and nickname. Detectives added that the suspect has been seen wearing casual Western-style clothing, which helped cement the “Cowboy” moniker among regulars. Authorities said some witnesses also recalled the man mentioning prior law enforcement work; investigators stressed that the claim is unverified and is being checked against personnel and retirement records.
Security staff at several venues said they have increased communication with each other and with deputies since the alert went out. Hendrix, the security chief at Da Town Bar and Grill, said he talks with patrons about staying aware of the posted image and to let staff know if they spot the man. “When they come in, I just let the ladies know we have this guy that’s sexually assaulting ladies,” Hendrix said, adding that he and his team will watch the entrances and coordinate with deputies if anyone matches the description. Other managers in the area said they have reminded employees to review ID checks, keep an eye on parking lots at closing time and preserve camera footage when police ask for it. A Chayn’s representative said the club has complied with detectives’ requests for past recordings and interviews.
Detectives said they are mapping reported encounters along FM 1960 to build a timeline of where the man was seen and when. That work includes date-stamped social media posts, club wristband logs and credit card receipts when available. Investigators also plan to compare those points to hotel reservation systems and third-party booking platforms. If a suspect is identified, the Sheriff’s Office said it will present the case to prosecutors for review. Any eventual charges would come through the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, which would determine counts based on the evidence. Prosecutors could consider sexual assault or related offenses if investigators provide sufficient corroboration, officials said. A court filing would include probable cause details, and a magistrate would set initial bond and conditions such as geographic limits or a no-contact order upon arrest.
For now, the Sheriff’s Office is asking people who recognize the nickname or the face in the circulated image to contact the Adult Sex Crimes Office at 713-274-9174 or email the unit at AdultSexCrimesUnit@sheriff.hctx.net. Investigators said tips that supply a legal name, a known hangout spot or a vehicle description could help them move quickly to verify the man’s identity. Deputies will continue contacting club owners along the corridor and will review any new reports from the long Thanksgiving weekend. “We’re keeping an eye out,” Hendrix said, adding that staff will notify authorities if someone who matches the image appears at the door.
The investigation is ongoing as of Wednesday night. Detectives said they plan to review additional surveillance pulled from clubs and nearby hotels through the weekend and will provide an update when they confirm the man’s name or make an arrest.
Author note: Last updated November 27, 2025.