Richmond man sentenced for drug trafficking, firearm charges

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Richmond man was sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday for federal drug trafficking and firearm-related charges.

On Thursday, May 8, a Richmond man was sentenced to seven years in prison for distributing cocaine and possessing a firearm arm in connection to a drug trafficking offense.

Based on evidence from court documents, on Jan. 16, 2024, authorities conducted an undercover purchase of fentanyl from 39-year-old Demario Avanti Henderson.

The agents coordinated another undercover purchase on Jan. 24, 2024, where Henderson sold them cocaine and fentanyl while openly carrying a handgun. After the transaction was complete, the agents arrested him and retrieved the handgun -- which they discovered was loaded.

Officials said Henderson had 17 prior criminal convictions -- including larceny, eluding police and causing endangerment, assault and battery on a family member, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, as well as assault on law enforcement.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which aims to bring all levels of law enforcement together to decrease gun violence and violent crime in the community.