Major Drug Trafficker Receives 14 Year Sentence

ATLANTA - Otis Henry has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for trafficking over 700,000 pills of BZP, a drug similar to ecstasy.

“Based on the staggering amount of drugs in the case, the defendant earned every day of his prison sentence,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.  “To those tempted by the allures of the drug trade like cars, cash, and jewelry – think twice. It’s more likely that you’ll be wearing an orange jumpsuit than a gold watch.”

Harry S. Sommers, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division commented,  “The use of a number of synthetic designer drugs continues to be a major concern in this country. Benzylpiperine, like any other synthetic stimulant, is dangerous and can lead to adverse effects such as severe convulsions or even death. Because of the hard work and dedication of all of the law enforcement agencies involved, Henry will not be able to see the outside of prison for a long time.”

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court:  From at least February 2010 to October 2010, Henry was a major distributor of BZP and marijuana in the metropolitan Atlanta area.  In one instance, on October 1, 2010, law enforcement officers obtained a warrant to search Henry’s residence in DeKalb County.  Inside the home, officers seized approximately 700,000 tablets of BZP which was one of the largest domestic seizures of the drug in U.S. history.  In particular, officers found the pills hidden in the walls of the house, behind insulation, under seat cushions, and in crawl spaces. Officers also recovered a handgun, 2 pounds of marijuana, $39,000 in cash, and over 150 grams of methamphetamine from the residence. The street value of the drugs is estimated at $2.8 million.

After agents executed the search warrant, Henry fled and evaded authorities for over a year. Ultimately, in January 2012, Henry was arrested in Tampa, Fla. Thereafter, agents searched Henry’s hotel room and recovered 4 pounds of marijuana and $3,300 in cash.

Henry, 43, of DeKalb County, Ga., was sentenced to 14 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.  Henry pleaded guilty on July 24, 2013.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the DeKalb County Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey W. Davis, Dahil Goss, Jeffrey Viscomi, and Skye Davis prosecuted the case.

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.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the home page for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division is http://www.justice.gov/usao/gan/.