Man gets 81-year term for '03 crime spree
Whatever remains of 29-year-old Andre Henry's life will likely be spent behind bars. Henry, described by authorities as a career criminal, was sentenced in federal court yesterday to more than 81 years in prison for his part in a 2003 crime spree that included robbing banks and fast-food restaurants, buying illegal guns, and firing 11 shots at a Philadelphia police officer.
Whatever remains of 29-year-old Andre Henry's life will likely be spent behind bars.
Henry, described by authorities as a career criminal, was sentenced in federal court yesterday to more than 81 years in prison for his part in a 2003 crime spree that included robbing banks and fast-food restaurants, buying illegal guns, and firing 11 shots at a Philadelphia police officer.
There is no parole in the federal prison system, and Henry would be a centenarian by the time he'd be eligible for release, according to officials.
In February 2007, a federal jury convicted Henry on 27 counts, including armed robbery, carjacking, straw purchases of firearms, and related offenses, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Laurie Magid. "This defendant defines the term 'armed career criminal,' " Magid said in a statement.
The stiff sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Jan E. DuBois, comes as Philadelphia continues to try to crack down on the use and purchasing of illegal guns in the city. It's also part of an effort by several federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to prosecute firearms offenders in federal court, where they are likely to receive substantial sentences.
Henry's string of violent crimes, which began in August 2003 and lasted two months, began with robberies of fast-food restaurants. Henry and others then used the proceeds to pay two women to purchase eight firearms, including two semiautomatic handguns, three rifles, two shotguns, and one AK-47 assault rifle. He used the weapons in an attempted carjacking, officials said, and to rob the Pulaski Savings Bank at 2352 Orthodox St. in Philadelphia on Sept. 18 and again on Sept. 29.
After Henry found out about the federal grand jury investigating the case, he attempted to hire someone to murder witnesses who testified against him, officials said. He was later convicted of solicitation to commit murder.
