North Dakota Man Sentenced for 9 Pounds of Meth, 14 Years Prison Time

Fargo, North Dakota man Travis Leanell Henley, 28, was sentenced to 14 years and 7 months in federal prison for possessing over 9 pounds of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it in Northern South Dakota.

U.S. District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann handed down the sentence on May 20, 2024, after Henley pleaded guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute on October 10, 2023. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The case began on April 5, 2022, when Henley was pulled over for a traffic violation in Roberts County, South Dakota. A Roberts County Deputy noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and conducted a search. 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 9 pounds of methamphetamine in the back hatch of the vehicle.

After the methamphetamine was discovered, Henley fled the scene on foot but was captured and arrested by law enforcement following a short chase. 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, which was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. Henley was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

This conviction and sentencing are a result of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the illicit trafficking of controlled substances in our region. The Grimy Times will continue to bring you updates on this and other cases as information becomes available.