Fresno Man Pleads Guilty After Mistaking Undercover Officer for a Prostitute

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 2 months ago on

March 25, 2025

Ghost gun examples pictured above. Donald Henderson, 30, of Fresno, pleaded guilty Monday, March 24, 2025, to being a felon in possession of ammunition after throwing a loaded ghost gun out of a vehicle during a police chase in Clovis. (AP File)

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A Fresno man pleaded guilty Monday to being a felon in possession of ammunition after attempting to sell a rifle to an undercover officer while mistakenly believing the officer was a prostitute, federal prosecutors said.

Donald Henderson, 30, admitted to possessing a privately manufactured firearm, commonly known as a ghost gun, with a loaded high-capacity magazine, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced Monday.

Authorities said Henderson arranged the sale in Clovis on Sept. 4, 2024. When officers arrived, he entered a vehicle and fled, leading to a high-speed chase. During the pursuit, Henderson threw the rifle out of the car, prosecutors said.

Henderson is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to previous felony convictions in Fresno County, including burglary and illegal firearm possession.

Homeland Security Investigations and Clovis police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting.

Henderson is set to be sentenced June 23. He faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors said.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Townsizing? Land Snorkeling? A User’s Guide to the Latest Travel Lingo

DON'T MISS

Trump Trade War Has Already Had Huge Effect on California Ports

DON'T MISS

Cambodian American Chefs Are Finding Success and Raising Their Culture’s Profile. On Their Terms

DON'T MISS

Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas

DON'T MISS

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

DON'T MISS

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

DON'T MISS

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

DON'T MISS

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

DON'T MISS

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

DON'T MISS

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

UP NEXT

Trump Trade War Has Already Had Huge Effect on California Ports

UP NEXT

Cambodian American Chefs Are Finding Success and Raising Their Culture’s Profile. On Their Terms

UP NEXT

Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas

UP NEXT

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

UP NEXT

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

UP NEXT

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

UP NEXT

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

UP NEXT

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

UP NEXT

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

UP NEXT

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump

Anthony W. Haddad,

Multimedia Journalist

Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.