Dontarious Marquette Henderson, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Arkansas 2023

LITTLE ROCK, AR – Dontarious Marquette Henderson, 28, is headed to federal prison for nearly six years after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky sentenced Henderson to 70 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release on December 18th. The sentence stems from a November 2021 incident that began with a reckless flight from Arkansas State Police.

The trouble started when troopers attempted a routine traffic stop. Instead of complying, Henderson blew through a red light, narrowly missing another vehicle, and then led police on a high-speed chase reaching 90 miles per hour through the streets of Little Rock. The pursuit ended when Henderson crashed into another driver’s car. Abandoning the vehicle, he attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended.

A search of Henderson and his wrecked vehicle revealed a cache of weaponry. Troopers found a Ruger handgun magazine loaded with 17 rounds tucked into Henderson’s front pocket. Inside the vehicle, on the passenger side floorboard, lay a Ruger P89 pistol equipped with an extended magazine. The discovery was particularly damning given Henderson’s prior criminal history, making firearm possession a federal offense.

Henderson was initially indicted on September 8, 2022, facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. While he received a lighter sentence than the maximum, Judge Rudofsky made it clear that Henderson’s actions endangered the public and warranted significant punishment. The federal system offers no parole, meaning Henderson will serve the full 70 months.

The case was a joint investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Arkansas State Police. Federal prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas successfully argued for the lengthy sentence, highlighting the danger posed by repeat offenders illegally armed with firearms.

This case serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon carries severe consequences under federal law. The ATF and its state and local partners continue to prioritize investigations targeting those who illegally possess weapons, aiming to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals prohibited from owning them and making our communities safer.

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