NORRISTOWN – Just days after losing his “Lady,” a Colorado pilot lost at
least nine years of his freedom for his role in a plot to smuggle
methamphetamine into Montgomery County.
James Michael Handzus, 52, of Rifle, Colo., was sentenced Tuesday in
Montgomery County Court to nine-to-22 years in a state correctional
facility after he was convicted of charges of possession with intent to
deliver methamphetamine, criminal use of a communication facility,
possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy in connection with
incidents that occurred in April 2011 in Plymouth and at Wing’s Field in
Whitpain.
Last week, Handzus’ plane, christened “My Lady,” officially was
forfeited to county authorities under drug forfeiture laws. The 1959
Piper Comanche fixed-wing, single engine aircraft has an estimated value
of about $25,000 and county officials plan to auction or sell it and
use the proceeds to fund other drug investigations.
Handzus’ prison sentence includes an eight-year mandatory term sought by
First Assistant District Attorney Kevin R. Steele, based on the amount
of drugs involved in the crime. Because Handzus was convicted of
possession with intent to deliver 433.6 grams of methamphetamine,
prosecutors could seek the mandatory sentence under state law.
Judge Joseph A. Smyth also imposed a consecutive one-to-two year
prison term against Handzus for a separate charge of possession with
intent to deliver 3.42 grams of the drug. The judge said a consecutive
sentence was appropriate given the sophisticated nature of Handzus’ drug
activity.
“He’s no ordinary drug dealer,” said Smyth, referring to Handzus’ use of
cell phones and other tactics to try to avoid detection by law
enforcement.
Steele argued for a sentence of 12-to-24 years against Handzus, asking
that sentences for most of Handzus’ crimes be imposed consecutively.
Steele argued Handzus had “lifelong issues with methamphetamine” and
that Handzus admitted in a presentence interview that his drug addiction
once “cost me my wife, my ranch and my job.”
“If there’s one person that knows the insidious nature of this drug it’s
Mr. Handzus, someone who clearly should have known better. Those who
become addicted to this have their lives ruined. What Mr. Handzus was
trying to put out on the streets…could have caused a lot of problems for
a lot of people,” Steele said.
Defense lawyer Douglas P. Earl sought a sentence of not more than the mandatory eight-year prison term for Handzus.
“In the 90s he had a drug problem but he received treatment,” Earl said. “This has been a horrible experience for him.”
Handzus said his conduct was a result of bad decisions that were fueled
by his grief over the loss of several loved ones, his greed and
“compounded by stupidity.”
“I know I did wrong and I know I have to pay for it,” Handzus told the judge.
During the two-day trial, Steele argued the one pound of methamphetamine
that was seized had a street value of between $64,000 and $76,800.
Steele, who was assisted by prosecutor Lindsay Carfagno, characterized
Handzus’ arrest as a “significant drug bust.”
Handzus’ girlfriend, Tamara Vincent, 41, previously pleaded guilty to
charges of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and
conspiracy in connection with the incident and is awaiting sentencing.
During his trial testimony, Handzus maintained he was set up by a police
informant, claiming the informant planted the one pound of
methamphetamine inside his luggage.
But prosecutors said detectives did an outstanding job investigating Handzus.
In March 2011, the district attorney’s Drug Task Force and Narcotics
Enforcement Team, which had been investigating the distribution of
methamphetamine in the county, learned that Handzus allegedly had been
smuggling large quantities of methamphetamine into the county using his
airplane.
On April 21, authorities learned Handzus was arriving at Wing’s Field in
Whitpain, court papers indicate. Although Handzus did not file flight
plans before piloting the aircraft on a 2,400 mile trip from Las Vegas,
investigators had seen his Facebook page and learned of his travel
plans, court records indicate.
After the Colorado couple was in town, an undercover detective arranged
to purchase the meth from Handzus the following day, according to arrest
documents. The undercover detective arranged to meet Handzus and
Vincent at Ruby Tuesday’s on Chemical Road in Plymouth, court papers
indicate.
At the restaurant, Vincent allegedly explained that her boyfriend had
family in the area, and when the couple visited they brought the drugs
to sell to pay expenses and provide spending money, according to court
papers. She allegedly agreed to sell the undercover detective a pound of
meth for $27,000.
After inspecting the meth, the undercover detective gave Vincent a
$2,000 down payment. Detectives then moved in and arrested the couple,
and the pound of “crystal meth” was seized from the couple’s luggage,
according to court documents.
Prosecutors previously alleged the methamphetamine was manufactured in
Mexico and sent to Las Vegas, which is “the hub of distribution” for the
illicit narcotic in the United States. Prosecutors described the
confiscated drugs as “very high grade.”
For sale: one used 1959 Piper fixed-wing aircraft. Powder blue in color. Probably should not be used to carry drug-sniffing dog as a pound of crystal meth was aboard at one time.
Remember the plane that was seized at Wings Field in Montgomery County last April 22, when the pilot, James Handzus, was arrested while selling the meth to an undercover detective? We do.
Handzus was convicted of drug law violations after a trial in Montgomery County Court. He’ll be sentenced on Tuesday, April 24.
Today, April 18, Judge Gerald Corso ruled that the plane, named My Lady, must be forfeited. "It is time for Mr. Handzus to kiss 'his lady' goodbye," said Assistant District Attorney James Staerk, head of the Montgomery County District Attorney's Forfeiture Unit.
Staerk said Handzus flew the plane from home in Rifle, Colo., to Las Vegas, Nev., where he bought the meth, then flew the drugs to Wings Field.
Now, just as we were rummaging in the closet for our Bomber jacket a la Amelia Earhart, comes word from DA Risa Vetri Ferman that she aims to sell the thing.
“While the novelty of having an Aviation Unit within the DA's Office is appealing, I doubt there is much realistic use for a plane within our operations,” she said. “We will plan to sell the plane, and make use of the proceeds for narcotics enforcement and investigations throughout the county.”
“I can think of no better way to use proceeds of illegal drug activity than to take these ill-gotten gains away from drug traffickers, and use their prized possessions to take other drug dealers out of commission.”
She said the plane has to be appraised before it is sold, but it could go for $25,000 or more..
Stay tuned.
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