ATLANTA, GA - JUSTIN THOMAS HENRY, 29, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr., to serve 19 years in federal prison on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm.

            “Guns and drugs in our neighborhoods pose a serious danger.  This prosecution has successfully removed two drug dealers from our streets who endangered the Cabbagetown community through their criminal conduct,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.  “I commend the Atlanta Police Department for its vigilance.”

            “Guns, drugs and violence are not welcome here in metro Atlanta, and our investigations and prosecutions make that clear. If you sell drugs, and if you have a gun, you will face federal charges and a lengthy prison sentence,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Gregory K. Gant. Through the combined efforts of local and federal law enforcement agencies we were able to target these individuals who prey on our communities with little thought to the damage they cause.”

             HENRY, a career offender, was sentenced to 19 years in prison to be followed by 8 years of supervised release. HENRY pleaded guilty to the charges on January 27, 2011.

            According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court:  On May 7, 2009, an investigator with the Atlanta Police Department was in the Cabbagetown area of Atlanta searching for a fugitive.  The investigator called over the radio letting other officers know that he saw a vehicle that a fugitive might be in and requested back up.  During the traffic stop that followed, HENRY, who was a passenger, was found to be in possession of a distribution amount of methamphetamine and a Bryco Arms Model 48 .380 caliber semi automatic pistol.

            The driver of the vehicle, co-defendant RYAN LASKOWITZ, immediately cooperated with the Atlanta police officers and admitted that he worked for THOMAS JUSTIN HENRY in the distribution of methamphetamine in the Cabbagetown area.  LASKOWITZ pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and received a 10 year sentence, on November 29, 2010.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.com.

            This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Officers of the Atlanta Police Department.

            Assistant United States Attorney Angela Marie Jordan and Matthew T. Jackson prosecuted the case.

            For further information please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.

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