Former NFL player Travis Henry was sentenced to three years in federal prison on Wednesday for his role in financing a drug trafficking ring that moved more than 10 pounds of cocaine between Denver and Billings.
Henry was arrested in Denver in October after Montana authorities found six pounds of marijuana and 6.6 pounds of cocaine that he and his accomplice James Mack allegedly supplied.
Standing before U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull in Federal District Court he received his fate for providing large amounts of front money to purchase cocaine with the intent to distribute.
Henry faced a possible sentence of 10 years in prison with a $4 million fine, but came away with something much lighter.
During the sentencing Judge Cebull stated that he was ruling in a unique case, on a unique individual, but it was not unique in the sense that Henry is addicted to drugs.
Henry's attorney argued that people took advantage of the former NFL player during a vulnerable time, after he was released from the Denver Broncos and had financial burdens.
Cebull didn't dismiss the fact that it may have been a vulnerable time, but said that Henry allowed it to happen.
Back in April, Travis Henry pleaded guilty to one count in trafficking cocaine, taking responsibility for his actions.
During the sentencing Henry told the judge he is no longer the same person that he was back when the crimes were committed and all he wants to do is educate kids about the harsh realities of drug use.
Henry faced a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison and a maximum $4 million fine. In less than an hour Cebull reached his verdict, sentencing the 30-year-old to 36 months in prison and another five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney for Montana Bill Mercer says the length of the sentence was expected, but their work is far from over with this case.
"Often times the sentence is higher but because the defendant didn't have a criminal history he got three years," states Mercer. "But we will be going after other folks that are just like this and associated with this drug conspiracy."
Mercer also says this case may have received more attention due to the level of stardom of the defendant, but this scenario is nothing unusual for his office.
Henry's attorney Harvey Steinberg told the Denver Post Wednesday afternoon they are, "Very happy with the sentence and treatment that both the court and government showed throughout the process."
Judge Cebull is also requiring Henry to go through a 500 hour residential drug treatment program.
Henry does not have to pay a fine.
Cebull told the defendant that if it wasn't for his addiction to marijuana Henry wouldn't be standing before him in court and he'd probably still be playing football in the NFL.
Henry who is from Frostproof, FL will serve his sentence in a federal prison in Florida, close to his family.
Former NFL player Travis Henry was sentenced to three years in a federal prison today for his role financing a drug trafficking ring that moved at least 11 pounds of cocaine between Denver and Billings.
Henry, of Frostproof, Fla......., was arrested by federal agents last October - just a few months after the running back was released from the Denver Broncos.
He pleaded guilty in April to a single count of trafficking cocaine. The three year sentence fell short of the maximum sentence of 10 years Henry could have faced.
Henry was described by prosecutors as the "money guy" who helped finance the operation. He has said he was struggling to keep up with child support payments after fathering at least nine
children from nine women.
The case was before U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull in Billings.
From the Archives
Former Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry is in federal custody in Florida after violating conditions of his bond.
Henry drank alcohol, which violated the bond conditions set by U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull in Billings.
Henry pleaded guilty in April to trafficking cocaine in a federal drug case and will be sentenced on July 15th.
Henry and co-defendant James Mack, 29, were arrested last fall in Denver after a traffic stop near Billings turned up 11 pounds of cocaine and six pounds of marijuana.
