Large Volume Cocaine Dealer Sentenced To 125 Months For His Role In South Georgia Drug Crime Network

VALDOSTA— A cocaine distributor in South Georgia involved in trafficking hundreds of kilograms will spend more than ten years in prison for his crimes, said U.S. Attorney Charles “Charlie” Peeler. Henry “Poochie” Austin, II, 49, of Valdosta was sentenced on April 3, 2019 to 125 months in prison and six years supervised released by United States District Judge Hugh Lawson. Mr. Austin was convicted in October 2018 of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base following a three day trial and just one hour of jury deliberations. There is no parole in the federal system.

Mr. Austin was involved in a cocaine and crack cocaine distribution ring between 2013 and 2014 stretching from Atlanta to South Georgia, including Tifton, Valdosta, Omega, Hahira, Adel, Moultrie, and other nearby communities.  Austin and 18 co-conspirators, all who previously pled guilty and have been sentenced, distributed hundreds of kilograms of cocaine sold as powder and also manufactured into crack cocaine, averaging between 10 to 15 kilograms of cocaine per week. Mr. Austin’s drug dealing career dates back to the 1990s.

“A dangerous drug ring moving hundreds of kilos of cocaine across our state is ended, and all involved have now faced the consequences of their crimes,” said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners who are tracking down and stopping these illegal and deadly drug networks from causing more harm in our communities.”

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Mid-South Narcotics Task Force, and the Tift, Crisp, Cook, Colquitt and Lowndes County Sheriff’s Offices. Assistant United States Attorneys Julia Bowen and Michael Solis prosecuted the case for the United States.

Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, and United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.