Fresno Man Pleads Guilty After Mistaking Undercover Officer for a Prostitute

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 4 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

So Your Doctor Is a DO. Does That Matter?

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Found Dead After Hike Near Courtright Reservoir

DON'T MISS

Former US Army Soldier Pleads Guilty in Phone Company Hacking, Extortion Case

DON'T MISS

Fresno City Attorney Briefly Ineligible to Practice Law, Cites State Bar Error

DON'T MISS

Grass Fire East of Sanger Contained at 21 Acres, CalFire Says

DON'T MISS

Age Is Just a Number: 80-Year-Old Conquers Death Valley to Mt. Whitney Ultramarathon

DON'T MISS

What to Know About the Epstein Files, a Perfect Recipe for Conspiracy Theories

DON'T MISS

US Military to Remove 2,000 National Guard Troops From Los Angeles

DON'T MISS

Mexico Pledges Action Should US Talks Fail by August Tariff Deadline

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest Armed Man Found Asleep in Car

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Found Dead After Hike Near Courtright Reservoir

UP NEXT

Former US Army Soldier Pleads Guilty in Phone Company Hacking, Extortion Case

UP NEXT

Fresno City Attorney Briefly Ineligible to Practice Law, Cites State Bar Error

UP NEXT

Grass Fire East of Sanger Contained at 21 Acres, CalFire Says

UP NEXT

Age Is Just a Number: 80-Year-Old Conquers Death Valley to Mt. Whitney Ultramarathon

UP NEXT

What to Know About the Epstein Files, a Perfect Recipe for Conspiracy Theories

UP NEXT

US Military to Remove 2,000 National Guard Troops From Los Angeles

UP NEXT

Mexico Pledges Action Should US Talks Fail by August Tariff Deadline

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Arrest Armed Man Found Asleep in Car

UP NEXT

Trump Says Democratic Rival Schiff Should Be ‘Brought to Justice’ for Alleged Fraud

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.