OMAHA, NEBRASKA – Victor Henderson, 24, of Omaha, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 18 months for unlawful possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr announced Friday. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. handed down the sentence in Omaha federal court. Unlike state systems, there’s no early release option in the federal setup – Henderson will serve the full 18 months before beginning a three-year supervised release term.
The case stems from a July 30, 2023 traffic stop initiated by the Omaha Police Department. Officers spotted a Ford Edge committing a traffic violation. The driver, identified as Christopher Grutel, was pulled over. Henderson was riding shotgun. The stench of marijuana wafting from the vehicle gave officers probable cause to search both occupants and the vehicle itself.
The search turned up more than just weed. Officers discovered marijuana shake on the passenger side floor, an open container of alcohol within reach of the driver, and, crucially, a box containing four live 9mm “Aguila” rounds in a plastic bag in the back seat. That’s when things went sideways for Henderson. He already had a prior conviction – in 2021, Douglas County District Court found him guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Federal law is clear: a convicted felon isn’t allowed to have any ammunition, period. The discovery, combined with Henderson’s prior record, sealed his fate. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) joined the Omaha Police in the investigation, building the case that led to the sentencing. It’s a reminder that even seemingly minor offenses can carry serious consequences when a prior criminal record is involved.
Grutel, also a convicted felon, isn’t off the hook either. He pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 6, 2024. Expect another dispatch from the Grimy Times when that sentence is handed down. This case underscores the ongoing efforts to keep illegal firearms and ammunition off the streets of Omaha.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office hasn’t commented on whether additional charges related to the marijuana and alcohol found in the vehicle will be pursued. The focus remains on holding convicted felons accountable for violating federal weapons laws, and the 18-month sentence for Henderson sends a clear message: possessing ammunition when you’re legally barred from doing so will land you in a federal prison cell.
Related Federal Cases
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- Omaha Felon Justin L. Coleman Sentenced for Gun Possession · Iowa
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Key Facts
- State: Nebraska
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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