KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A man found passed out in a car with several grams of drug paraphernalia and a handgun was sentenced to 24 years in prison Monday, the Knox County District Attorney General's Office said.
William Henry was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession with intent to sell fentanyl, possession with intent to sell methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, according to the DA.
Officers responded to a call about impaired people on April 11, 2023. Henry and his co-defendant were then arrested from a vehicle in the parking lot of the Kroger on Chapman Highway, according to the DA.
Both were passed out upon discovery. Officers removed both occupants from the car and discovered approximately 59 grams of methamphetamine, 54 grams of fentanyl, and a handgun in the car, the DA reports.
Analysis of Henry's cell phone revealed that he had made several drug sales to customers in Johnson City and was in Knoxville to meet his supplier. He claimed that he was not a "big dealer" and had no customers in Knoxville, according to the DA.
The analysis also revealed multiple photos of drugs on digital scales and photos of Henry holding the recovered firearm, the DA said.
“Thanks to a call from a concerned citizen and quick work by the responding officers, we were able to remove these deadly substances and a firearm from our streets,” DA Charme Allen said.
Henry has 10 prior felony convictions for aggravated assault, theft and vehicle burglary in Washington County, according to the DA.
