Skip to main content
Press Release

Wisconsin Man Arrested For Federal Drug And Money Trafficking Violations

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Texas

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs

         LUFKIN, Texas – A 40-year-old man from Milwaukee, Wisconsin has been arrested for federal drug and money trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales. 
             
Henry Korvett Bams, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was arrested Tuesday, pursuant to a criminal complaint issued by the U.S. District Court charginghim with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine and engaging in interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of a Racketeering Enterprise.  On Sunday, July 6, 2014, Bams was stopped for a traffic violation by the Texas Department of Public Safety while traveling southbound on US Highway 259 in Nacogdoches County, Texas.  The officer eventually conducted a search of the vehicle and seized approximately $253,341 in cash and a small quantity of marijuana.  Following an arrest on state charges, Bams was released when the charges were dismissed.  In addition, the Nacogdoches County District Attorney’s office returned all but $100,000 of the seized currency to Bams.  On Tuesday, July 22, 2014, Bams was stopped for a traffic violation by Arkansas State Police in Hot Springs County, Arkansas, on Interstate Highway 30.  The officer received consent to search the vehicle and discovered approximately ten kilograms of suspected cocaine located inside a hidden compartment within the vehicle.  Two bank deposit slips were also discovered within the vehicle.  On Aug. 1, 2014, agents with the Internal Revenue Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration executed a seizure warrant on the bank account referenced in the deposit slips and seized approximately $135,015.14 in suspected drug proceeds.

If convicted, Bams faces a minimum of 10 years to life in federal prison for the drug distribution violation and up to five years for the interstate transportation in aid of racketeering violation.

This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation,  the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Arkansas State Police, Milwaukee High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Baylor Wortham.

It is important to note that a complaint, arrest, or indictment should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Updated March 12, 2015