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Hudson homeless shelter owner's sons charged with drug trafficking

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By LISA A. DAVIS | The Tampa Tribune
and ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 30, 2009

The sons of Holy Ground owner, Lisa Barabas-Henry have been indicted on federal drug charges.

Lance Derek Barabas, 21, Larry Gene Barabas Jr., 25, and Landon Douglas Barabas, 23, were arrested Tuesday by federal agents on charges of trafficking and money laundering.

According to the indictment handed up Oct. 20 by a grand jury in federal court in the Eastern District of Tennessee, the young men were involved in a drug operation for two years involving 11 other people from Florida, Tennessee and possibly beyond.

They are accused of possessing with the intent to distribute oxycodone, ecstasy and marijuana, the indictment states. It is thought that the 14 people involved jointly earned at least $1.25 million in drug sales, according to the indictment. About $21,000 in cash was seized from two co-defendants.

The Barabas men are also accused of laundering money. The other individuals face other charges, including selling drugs near an elementary schools and a park in Knoxville,Tenn. And one man is accused of having a firearm while trafficking drugs.

Two other local men, Richard Douglas Sullivan, 22, of 6636 Harbor Drive, Hudson; and Douglas Chantz Dodd. 20, of 9504 Marley Ave., New Port Richey, also were booked into the Pinellas County Jail

in connection to the alleged operation. Dodd was released the following day.

David Lewen, who's prosecuting the case in Tennessee, said today he can't comment on specifics of the case. He confirmed two search warrants were executed in connection to the indictment but could not say where or what was seized.

The Barabas brothers were booked into the Pinellas County Jail on Tuesday. During a bond hearing in federal court in Tampa, their mother testified on their behalf. She put up her Beacon Woods home at 12709 Woodbine Drive, as collateral for the $100,000 bail for he eldest son, Larry, court records show.

The home is actually owned by Holy Ground, record state, but Barabas-Henry is the principal owner of the homeless shelter.

As part of his agreement with the court, Larry will live at his Port Richey home at 10805 Gawain Road, with his wife. He must look for a job and can travel to Tennessee for court proceedings.

His two brothers remained in jail Thursday. Bail for his youngest brother, Lance, of 101 S. 12th St. Tampa, was denied due to his "continued drug use," according to court documents. Bail for Landon, who lists his address as 8835 Denton Avenue (his mother's homeless, shelter), was taken under advisement by the judge.

As boys, the Barabases were often alongside their mother at the homeless shelter she runs in Hudson.

The family has endured many tragedies over the years, including the death of the boys' father, Jody Henry who died in a car crash in 2000. Since then, Lisa Barabas-Henry has fought numerous serious illnesses and survived a heart attack. Her youngest son, Landon, a onetime Hudson High star wrestler, survived after a motorcycle crash three years ago.

Lisa Barabas-Henry said today she was surprised by the charges and doesn't believe her sons will be convicted.

"In the end, you'll see it's not them," she said, her voice cracking.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083.

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