Two Virginia man who were part of the conspiracy to sell guns to Trenton gangsters

Two Virginia man who were part of the conspiracy to sell guns to Trenton gangsters, including the one used to kill innocent 13-year-old Tamrah Leonard, were sentenced to probation in Mercer Court today.

Bobby Lee Henderson, 24, of Townsend, and Larry Nottingham, 28, of Eastville, both pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon, Peter Aseltine, spokesman for Attorney General Paula T. Dow, said last month.

The two men admitted they conspired with Trayle Beasley, 30, of Trenton, to buy guns from sources in Virginia and sell them to the hungry gangster market in Trenton.

“Seventy-five percent to the crime guns in New Jersey come from out of state and Virginia is the second biggest source state,” said Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor.

In addition to the Leonard shooting on June 7, 2009 during a block party, Beasley’s conspiracy brought into the city the gun used to kill Tracey Crews, 23, inside his city home on Sept. 12, 2008, Aseltine said.

Mercer County Superior Court Judge Mitchel Ostrer sentenced Townsend to four years probation and Henderson to three years probation, in addition to the time served in prison awaiting trial.

Beasley pleaded guilty last month to bringing in 12 guns, including eight handguns, two shotguns, and two rifles.

He faces between 12 and 14 years in prison when sentenced on May 31 in Judge Pedro J. Jiminez Jr.’s court, Aseltine said.