VALDOSTA-- United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Charles E. Peeler, announced that Henry Austin, II a/k/a “Poochie," age 49, of Valdosta, Georgia was convicted Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Cocaine base following a three day jury trial before United States District Judge Hugh Lawson. Jurors took one hour to deliberate the charge. Austin’s sentencing will occur before Judge Lawson at a later date.
Jurors heard evidence collected by a half-dozen law enforcement agencies during a more than two-year investigation. Evidence revealed a cocaine and crack cocaine distribution circuit stretching from Atlanta to South Georgia, including Tifton, Valdosta, Omega, Hahira, Adel, Moultrie, Northern Florida, and other nearby communities. Austin and 18 co-conspirators, all who previously pled guilty and been sentenced, distributed hundreds of kilograms of cocaine sold as powder and also manufactured into crack cocaine. Mr. Austin’s drug dealing career dates back to the 1990s. When speaking of his crack cooking skills, witnesses widely described Mr. Austin as “one of best."
“Another major illegal drug ring operating in Georgia has been smashed," said Charles Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “This office and the law enforcement agencies we work with daily are committed to stopping these destructive drug operations flowing in our state. I applaud the courageous efforts put forth by our law enforcement agencies who are successfully ending illegal drug operations in their communities."
This investigation and Mr. Austin’s conviction represent the hard work of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Tift County Sheriff’s Office, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant United States Attorneys Julia C. Bowen, Michael T. Solis and Leah E. McEwen are prosecuting the case for the United States.
Questions concerning this case can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
