Kalamazoo Man Arrested And Charged With Federal Drug And Gun Crimes

          GRAND RAPIDS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan filed a criminal complaint to arrest and charge Tyrone Henderson, 50, of Kalamazoo, Michigan for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine; felon in possession of firearms; and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.  After a preliminary hearing and detention hearing on Friday, before Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens, Henderson was bound over and detained pending the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury. Henderson made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on November 15, 2022.  

          “Given the extreme danger posed by fentanyl, we are in a fight to save lives,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “According to the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team, this is the largest seizure of fentanyl in the Kalamazoo area. My office, in coordination with our local and federal partners, is committed to disrupting the distribution of fentanyl, illegal drugs, and guns into our communities.”

          According to court documents, the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET), a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force, has been investigating Henderson for his involvement with fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution in Kalamazoo.  KVET obtained a warrant to search Henderson’s residence.  A search of the residence yielded 2.3 kilograms of pure fentanyl, 1.3 kilograms of a heroin and fentanyl mixture, 516 grams of heroin, and 489 grams of methamphetamine.  Much of the methamphetamine seized from Henderson’s residence was in pill form, disguised to look like the party drug ecstasy.  Henderson’s residence also contained four assault rifles; multiple magazines; ammunition; a loaded, stolen handgun; digital scales; presses; and, other implements used for processing narcotics.  Henderson has multiple prior felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms.  For more information, please see the continuation in support of the criminal complaint available on the public docket.  United States v. Henderson, No. 1:22-MJ-472 (SJB), ECF No. 1-1 (W.D. Mich.)

          “The Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team is committed to reducing gun violence often fueled by the illegal distribution of controlled substances most notably Fentanyl,” said KVET Captain Rafael Diaz.  “This case represents many hours of investigation and collaboration with our federal partner, the DEA.  And we look forward to continuing that relationship to support the greater Kalamazoo area in reducing the damaging effects of lost lives due to gun violence and overdoses.”

          U.S. Attorney Mark Totten of the Western District of Michigan, Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Detroit Field Division, and Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Acting Chief David Boysen made the announcement.

          The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team are investigating the case.  A photograph of some of the items seized from Henderson’s residence is below.

          Under the United States Constitution, the government must present felony cases to a grand jury and obtain indictments to proceed with prosecution.  The charges in the complaint are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.  The government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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