In January 2017, Charles E. Henry Jr. was found sleeping in his car outside the Grant Avenue Dunkin’ Donuts with more than 30 bags of heroin and a large amount of cash in his possession.
Henry was arrested by the Auburn Police Department for possessing the drugs and charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony. He posted bail the day after his arrest, but was taken into custody the same day by New York State Police after troopers found him in Weedsport with more than $50,000 worth of stolen property. He was charged by state police with second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a felony, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
In July, Henry pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal possession of stolen property and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies. Tuesday, he was sentenced to serve time in state prison by Cayuga County Court Judge Mark Fandrich.
Before his sentencing, Henry and his defense attorney, Jarrod Smith, pleaded with Fandrich to sentence Henry to time served and post-release supervision so he could take care of his son who has special needs. Henry claimed the child’s mother is being investigated by state police for forging checks in his name and is going to be arrested soon, leaving no one to care for the boy. Henry, who is a veteran, said if the judge spared him jail time, he would enroll in a substance abuse treatment program through the VA.
