Columbus, Ohio – A man previously convicted in a violent Ohio gang conspiracy has pleaded guilty once again—this time for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Eric Henderson, Jr., 26, of Columbus, entered his plea in U.S. District Court after being caught with a modified weapon during a police encounter in June 2025.
Henderson’s criminal background includes a 2019 conviction in a sweeping racketeering case involving the Trevitt and Atcheson Crips (T&A), a gang tied to multiple violent crimes in Columbus and Chillicothe. At the time, Henderson was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for his role in the conspiracy. His involvement included selling crack cocaine and participating in a network responsible for five murders, numerous attempted murders, firearms and drug trafficking, assault, robbery, and witness tampering.
In the most recent incident, Henderson was pulled over by Columbus police for a traffic violation. But before the car had come to a full stop, he took off running. Officers noted that he was clutching the waistband of his pants and reaching under his shirt, prompting immediate concern.
During the pursuit, Henderson threw a gun over a privacy fence in an attempt to get rid of it before being caught by officers. Authorities later recovered the weapon—a loaded pistol with an extended magazine. What made the weapon particularly alarming was the presence of a “machine gun conversion device,” commonly referred to as a “switch,” which is designed to turn a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic one. Possession of such a device is a serious federal offense.
Henderson was indicted by a federal grand jury just a month later in July 2025. His guilty plea now adds another chapter to his already lengthy criminal record, which traces back to one of the most violent gang networks to operate in the region.
As a convicted felon, Henderson was prohibited from possessing any firearm, and his choice to carry a modified weapon could lead to a significant sentence enhancement.
Federal prosecutors did not immediately disclose Henderson’s potential sentence, but given the nature of the offense and his past criminal conduct, he is likely to face substantial additional prison time.
