Almarez Henderson, Meth & Gun Trafficking, Fort Wayne IN, 2023

FORT WAYNE, IN – Almarez Henderson, 55, of Fort Wayne is headed to federal prison for a decade and a half after pleading guilty to a pair of serious federal charges. Henderson was sentenced to 180 months – that’s 15 years – by U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after admitting to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and carrying a firearm during and in relation to that drug trafficking operation.

The bust went down in April 2022, when officers began surveilling Henderson at a local Fort Wayne hotel. According to court documents, he was observed repeatedly entering and exiting rooms, behavior consistent with illegal drug activity. A routine traffic stop shortly after he left the hotel quickly turned up more than just a suspended license and an outstanding warrant.

A search of Henderson’s vehicle revealed a dangerous cocktail: a knife, a loaded 9mm handgun, and a quantity of methamphetamine, alongside other items typically used in the distribution of narcotics. The discovery cemented the case against him, linking him directly to the drug trade and the illegal possession of a firearm – a combination federal authorities take seriously.

The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with crucial assistance from the Fort Wayne Police Department. Evidence collected was further analyzed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratory, solidifying the charges against Henderson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey R. Speith handled the prosecution.

Federal officials are framing Henderson’s sentencing as a victory for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. The program focuses on building trust, supporting community organizations, and strategically prioritizing enforcement efforts.

The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, emphasizing data-driven results and a commitment to making neighborhoods safer. Henderson’s 180-month sentence, followed by five years of supervised release, sends a clear message: those who traffic drugs and illegally carry firearms in Northern Indiana will face significant consequences. The case underscores the ATF’s Chicago Field Division’s ongoing commitment to disrupting criminal activity and protecting the public.

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