GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – William Henderson, Jr., 27, of Kalamazoo, is headed for a long stay in federal prison after receiving a 13-year sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm and using that firearm while trafficking drugs. U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney didn’t pull any punches, also tacking on a four-year supervised release period after Henderson serves his time.
The bust went down March 15, 2022, when Henderson was caught packing a loaded .40 caliber pistol alongside over 13 grams of cocaine. But the gun wasn’t just for show. Authorities say Henderson brazenly displayed the weapon at a Kalamazoo block party on Woodbury Avenue, openly flaunting it to others. As a convicted felon, Henderson was already legally barred from owning any firearms.
The case deepened when investigators linked the gun to a February 2022 shooting where Cornell Gordon of Kalamazoo was struck three times. Shell casings recovered from the scene of the Gordon shooting matched those fired from Henderson’s weapon. Text messages pulled from Henderson’s phone further implicated him in the attack, leading Judge Maloney to apply a sentencing enhancement for assault with intent to commit murder. The evidence painted a clear picture of Henderson’s involvement in escalating violence.
“Our message to violent offenders is clear: violence will gain you a new home in federal prison for a long time,” declared U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “My office is committed to disrupting the cycle of gun and drug-related violence in our district and communities.” Judge Maloney echoed that sentiment, stating Henderson posed a “risk to the public,” especially considering his lengthy rap sheet which includes prior convictions for carrying concealed weapons, possessing firearms as a felon, and dealing drugs.
The investigation was a joint effort, bringing together the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Crime Reduction Team, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) was crucial in connecting the shell casings to Henderson’s gun, solidifying the case against him. Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief David Boysen praised the partnership, stating, “Through this partnership, we are able to identify the most dangerous individuals who are driving the gun violence in Kalamazoo and remove them from our community through federal sanctions.”
The prosecution, handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren F. Biksacky, was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program – a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime. This wasn’t just about one arrest; it’s part of a broader strategy to target the most violent offenders and offer programs for those re-entering society. But for William Henderson, Jr., that reentry is a long way off. He’s got 13 years to consider his choices behind bars.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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