North Dakota Man Sentenced for Possession of Nine Pounds of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute it in Northern South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Fargo, North Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute. The sentencing took place on May 20, 2024.

Travis Leanell Henley, 28, was sentenced to 14 years and seven months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Henley was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on October 10, 2023.

On April 5, 2022, Henley was pulled over for a traffic violation in Roberts County, South Dakota. The Roberts County Deputy noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and the vehicle was searched. The deputy located marijuana in the ash tray, approximately $3,000 in cash in the center console, a loaded firearm in the backseat, and over nine pounds of methamphetamine in the back hatch of the vehicle. Upon the deputy locating the methamphetamine, Henley fled the scene on foot. After a short chase, Henley was captured and arrested for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Roberts County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cass County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert prosecuted the case.

Henley was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.