Arlington man gets 55 years in prison following fatal 2021 shooting

A Tarrant County jury sentenced an Arlington man to 55 years in prison Friday after he pleaded guilty to the 2021 murder of Michael Henley.

A press release from the Tarrant County Prosecutor's Office said Justin Michael Milem, 41, started a fight with Henley, 50, at a Chevron gas station in Arlington on July 1, 2021. The Dallas Morning News reported at the time, police responded around 6:30 p.m. to the 1700 block of West Sanford Street, about a half-mile from the gas station, for reports of a shooting and found Henley with an injury shot in the chest. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Milem's attorney, José Noriega, said via email Friday that he respected the jury's verdict but disagreed with it. Noriega said he was exploring appeal options regarding the sentence.

Police said that at the time, surveillance footage from the gas station showed Henley fighting with Milem, and they believed Milem was following Henley from the gas station. Witnesses told police they saw a small gray SUV pull up alongside a man and fire a single shot before driving away.

Witnesses were also able to provide police with the car's license plate number, which was traced to Milem.

When police went to Milem's home, according to the Tarrant County Prosecutor's Office statement, he refused to come out, sparking a SWAT standoff.

The statement said Milem surrendered after hours of negotiations and police found weapons and ammunition at his home. The statement also said Milem's two sons were inside the home during the standoff.