Henry Sentner, convicted for killing mobster Carlo Gambino’s nephew in the 1970s, was arrested Sunday in Wyoming for felony marijuana possession. A state trooper stopped the 81-year-old for speeding in a rental car on Interstate 80, according to KGAB. He told the trooper that he was on his way back home to Myrtle Beach, SC, after seeing family in California.
The trooper discovered from doing a background check that Sentner had a lengthy history of felonious conduct and had lived in California previously, where he had been accused of crimes. When the trooper asked Sentner if there was marijuana in the car, Sentner allegedly said there were several pounds in the back seat and that there was also some marijuana in the trunk.
KGAB reported that Sentner additionally informed the trooper know that he “did the run often” and that the marijuana on the back seat was a portion of his payment.
Accused’s criminal past includes killing member of Gambino crime family
Jeremiah Sandburg, Laramie County District Attorney, stated that Sentner’s criminal past includes the 1972 murder of Emanuel Gambino and a resulting 15-year prison sentence. Sandburg remarked that it was “kind of unique” to have a seasoned criminal still allegedly engaging in “this conduct at his age,” according to the Spokesman-Review.
Documents related to charges leveled against Sentner state that Sentner had approximately 35 pounds of marijuana in his car. The octogenarian, previously convicted killer has been charged with speeding and possession of marijuana – with the intent to deliver.
Additionally, he was charged with felony marijuana possession. Sentner posted $3,000 cash for bail and was released yesterday.
Sentner has been appointed a state public defender. His defense attorney was not available to comment yesterday, which is when Judge Thomas Lee, circuit court, set Sentner’s next court appearance. On October 6, he is scheduled for a hearing and for having the terms of his bond set.
Sentner assured Judge Lee that he will be in court. He also thanked the judge.
Wyoming trooper found accused’s story implausible
After Sentner was pulled over and stated that he was returning to South Carolina after visiting California, the trooper found the story about his cross-country trip implausible, the Spokesman-Review reported.
The trooper noted Sentner’s responses to “simple questions.” The trooper stated that he “observed repeated deceptive behavioral responses.”
In the 1970s, the New York Times – and now the Washington Post – reported that Sentner relayed to federal authorities that he killed Gambino accidentally in May 1972. Sentner’s explanation was that he and Gambino were quarreling over gambling debts. In a deserted area of New Jersey, Gambino suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his head.
Then, in 1974, Sentner was reportedly hospitalized after he was given strychnine-laced cocoa when he was in federal detention in relation to a different case. His attorney expressed the fear that mob vengeance would be carried out against Sentner and made the request that his client be imprisoned in Alabama.
Sandburg stated that there currently is nothing evidencing that Sentner is presently connected to the mob. Sandburg further stated that he also doubts there are parole conditions, evolving from Gambino’s death, still in place.
Mark Trimble is the spokesman for the Wyoming US Attorney’s Office. Trimble stated that the office doesn’t have any information related to Sentner’s most recent charges.
