A Fresno man faces federal charges after attempting to sell a rifle to an undercover officer, leading to a pursuit and indictment. Donald Henderson, 30, has been charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, as announced by U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.
On September 4, 2024, Henderson allegedly tried to quickly evade law enforcement by entering a vehicle as a passenger, subsequently being pursued by officers. During the chase, he discarded a "ghost gun"—an untraceable, privately manufactured firearm with a loaded magazine—out of the car window, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. This event led to the current indictment, with the investigation being carried out by Homeland Security Investigations and the Clovis Police Department and the case being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes.
Henderson now potentially faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of the charges. However, official court documents clarify that any sentencing would be at the court's discretion, informed by statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Currently, the charges are allegations, and Henderson maintains the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
The incident is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed to comprehensively reduce violent crime and gun violence. The PSN program strives to foster collaboration between law enforcement at all levels and their communities. A renewed strategy, released on May 26, 2021, emphasizes community trust, supports crime prevention organizations, prioritizes strategic enforcement, and focuses on measuring tangible outcomes.
