By Ginika Igboke
An Indiana man accused of leading a violent Indianapolis gang with international connections was arrested in Mississippi just one day after being placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, authorities announced.
Gregory Henderson Jr., 46, was taken into custody Wednesday by members of the FBI’s Jackson Field Office in Mississippi, according to federal authorities.
His arrest came only hours after the FBI publicly identified him as one of the country’s most wanted fugitives. Henderson had been added to the agency’s Ten Most Wanted list on Tuesday as investigators intensified their efforts to locate him.
The FBI said Henderson was the 542nd person added to the prestigious list since it was established in 1950. Of those listed over the decades, 503 have been apprehended, with tips from members of the public playing an important role in many of those arrests.
Accused of Leading Indianapolis Gang
Federal investigators allege Henderson was the leader of a violent, neighborhood-based gang operating in Indianapolis.
He is among 31 people indicted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana as part of a major investigation involving alleged international drug trafficking and a dog-fighting operation in central Indiana.
According to the FBI, Henderson’s alleged drug network was supplied by the Sinaloa Cartel and distributed large quantities of illegal drugs throughout Indianapolis and other parts of the Midwest.
Investigators allege the organization trafficked methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl.
The investigation describes a criminal network that authorities say extended beyond Indiana, with connections to international drug suppliers and activity across multiple states.
Henderson is accused of playing a central role in coordinating the organization and overseeing its activities.
Dog-Fighting Allegations Also Part of Case
In addition to the drug-trafficking allegations, federal investigators accuse Henderson of participating in a criminal dog-fighting enterprise.
The FBI said the operation involved severe abuse of dogs and resulted in the deaths of numerous animals.
Authorities have described the alleged dog-fighting activity as another component of the broader criminal enterprise outlined in the federal indictment.
The allegations against Henderson have not been proven in court, and he remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty.
Fugitive Evaded Arrest for Nearly Three Years
Henderson had been a fugitive since Aug. 31, 2023, when authorities conducted a large-scale operation targeting members of the organization.
According to the FBI, Henderson managed to evade arrest during the takedown and remained on the run for nearly three years.
Investigators continued searching for him while pursuing leads about his whereabouts.
His addition to the Ten Most Wanted list dramatically increased public awareness of the search and placed renewed attention on his case.
Just one day after his name and photograph were publicly released as part of the FBI’s most-wanted list, agents in Mississippi located and arrested him.
FBI Credits Public for Helping Locate Fugitives
FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley said Henderson’s arrest demonstrates the importance of continuing to pursue fugitives even when they remain out of reach for extended periods.
“Gregory Henderson spent nearly three years attempting to evade justice, but our resolve to find him never wavered,” O’Malley said.
He also emphasized the role that members of the public can play in helping investigators locate people wanted for serious crimes.
“A single tip can provide the critical piece investigators need to move an investigation forward,” O’Malley said.
O’Malley said Henderson’s arrest demonstrated the FBI’s ability to pursue fugitives across state lines and continue investigations regardless of where suspects attempt to hide.
“Henderson’s arrest is a testament to the reach and determination of the FBI,” he said.
The agency said it will continue pursuing individuals accused of serious federal crimes who attempt to evade arrest.
Henderson Faces Further Court Proceedings
Henderson made his initial court appearance in Mississippi on Thursday following his arrest.
He will remain in federal custody while additional legal proceedings take place. Authorities said he is expected to eventually be extradited to Indiana, where he will face the federal case connected to the broader investigation.
The extradition process will allow authorities in Indiana to bring Henderson back to the jurisdiction where the alleged crimes occurred and where the federal indictment was filed.
Officials have not released additional details about where Henderson was staying in Mississippi, how investigators located him or whether anyone else was arrested during the operation.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Federal authorities are continuing to pursue the remaining individuals connected to the case while prosecutors move forward with the charges already filed.
Henderson’s arrest marks a significant development in a case that has remained active since the 2023 takedown and brings an end to nearly three years of efforts to locate one of the FBI’s newest Ten Most Wanted fugitives.
Original article
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