Contact: Steve Cole ‚ Public Affairs Specialist ‚ 813/274-6352

For Immediate Release
June 7, 2006

JACKSONVILLE U.S. BORDER PATROL OFFICER ARRESTED ON FEDERAL DRUG CHARGE

Tony Henderson, a/k/a “Hollywood,” was arrested today by federal and state law enforcement agents. Henderson, age 45, of Macclenny, is an officer with the United States Border Patrol stationed in Jacksonville. The arrest was based upon the filing of a criminal complaint in federal court in Jacksonville which charges Henderson with distributing a quantity of marihuana to an individual on December 10, 2005 in Baker County. According to the affidavit attached to the criminal complaint, Henderson arranged the marihuana transaction by telephone with another individual, setting the price of the illegal drugs and arranging for the transaction to occur at Henderson’s residence. Henderson will make his first appearance in Jacksonville federal court this afternoon at 3 p.m. before United States Magistrate Judge Monte C. Richardson.

If convicted of the charge in the criminal complaint, Henderson faces up to five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a period of supervised release of at least two years. The criminal complaint also seeks forfeiture of Henderson’s residence.

The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Rodney Brown. The criminal investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

A criminal complaint merely comprises the formal charge(s) in a case, and every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.