ATHENS, Texas (KLTV) – A Mabank man, Jeffrey Lee Sharp, 62, has been sentenced to life in prison following a jury conviction for drug distribution in Henderson County.
Sharp stood trial in Judge R. Scott McKee’s courtroom starting Monday and was found guilty by a jury on Tuesday, despite entering a not-guilty plea. The conviction stems from an October 26, 2023 traffic stop in Gun Barrel City, where a Henderson County investigator reported smelling marijuana in Sharp’s vehicle.
A search of the car revealed multiple clear plastic bags containing methamphetamine and marijuana, later confirmed by a DPS lab. Sharp was indicted in January 2024 and declined a 45-year plea deal in April 2025, opting instead for a jury trial.
During the trial, prosecutors highlighted Sharp’s long criminal history, noting his status as a habitual offender. He had already served two 35-year sentences for drug and burglary charges and a 20-year sentence for injury to a child. At the time of this arrest, he was out on parole.
District Attorney Jenny Palmer stated, “This defendant has repeatedly shown a disregard for the law and the safety of others. This verdict and Judge McKee’s sentence reflect the seriousness of his crimes.”
Sharp’s life sentence was handed down for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, specifically methamphetamine, in an amount between 4 and 200 grams.
