Fresno Man Pleads Guilty After Mistaking Undercover Officer for a Prostitute

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 4 days 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

Elon Musk Sells X to His Own xAI for $33 Billion in All-Stock Deal

DON'T MISS

US Naval Academy Ends Affirmative Action in Admissions

DON'T MISS

Elon Musk Backtracks on a Legally Questionable Plan to Pay Voters

DON'T MISS

Appeals Court Clears Way for DOGE to Keep Operating at USAID

DON'T MISS

Trump Pledges US Aid for Asia Quake Despite Former Official Saying System in ‘Shambles’

DON'T MISS

Is Fresno Political Consultant Alex Tavlian Behind Election Attack Mailer?

DON'T MISS

Gronk-a-Mania Set to Run Wild Over WrestleMania Weekend

DON'T MISS

Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

DON'T MISS

St. Agnes’ Newest Robot Promises Less Invasive Surgeries, Faster Recoveries

DON'T MISS

California Food Banks Brace for Funding Cuts, and Not Only From the Trump Administration

UP NEXT

US Naval Academy Ends Affirmative Action in Admissions

UP NEXT

Elon Musk Backtracks on a Legally Questionable Plan to Pay Voters

UP NEXT

Appeals Court Clears Way for DOGE to Keep Operating at USAID

UP NEXT

Trump Pledges US Aid for Asia Quake Despite Former Official Saying System in ‘Shambles’

UP NEXT

Is Fresno Political Consultant Alex Tavlian Behind Election Attack Mailer?

UP NEXT

Gronk-a-Mania Set to Run Wild Over WrestleMania Weekend

UP NEXT

Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

UP NEXT

St. Agnes’ Newest Robot Promises Less Invasive Surgeries, Faster Recoveries

UP NEXT

California Food Banks Brace for Funding Cuts, and Not Only From the Trump Administration

UP NEXT

Why the Nation Would Be Wise to Support a Third Term Amendment for Donald Trump

Anthony W. Haddad,

Multimedia Journalist

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