Jury Convicts Former U.S. Army Sergeant
on Drug and Gun Charges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 27 , 2011

Jacksonville, Florida - U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that a federal jury today found Henry Lee Brown (39) guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine (Count One), aiding and abetting an attempt to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine (Count Two) and possessing a semiautomatic pistol in furtherance of those crimes (Count Three). Brown faces a mandatory minimum of ten years up to life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 30, 2012.

Brown and co-conspirator Michael Hopkins were indicted on May 11, 2011. Hopkins pled guilty to Counts One and Two prior to trial.

According to the testimony and evidence presented at trial, Brown was a former Sergeant in the United States Army, Corrections Officer with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Officer. He worked with Hopkins and a previously convicted drug dealer, Henry Manns, to import cocaine through the Port of Jacksonville. Hopkins and Brown ultimately decided to purchase four kilograms of cocaine from an alleged international drug dealer. They were subsequently arrested in a sting operation in Jacksonville. The investigation ultimately led to the arrest and conviction of Henry Manns. Manns is scheduled for sentencing on January 11, 2012, and faces life in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Coast Guard Investigative Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney A. Tysen Duva.

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