Lake County Jury Finds Jeff R. Henderson Guilty; Sentenced to 42 Years Incarceration
CROWN POINT – A jury in Lake County Criminal Court convicted Jeff R. Henderson on November 17, 2023, of drug dealing and resisting law enforcement after incidents that occurred at a Motel 6 in Hammond earlier this year. Today, Henderson was sentenced to 42 years incarcerated in the Indiana Department of Correction.
The probable cause affidavit states that Hammond Police Department Officers responded to the motel after staff advised they had asked Henderson to leave the premises because he was threatening the staff. Officers also knew Henderson had an active arrest warrant when they arrived.
Upon ordering Henderson into custody, he attempted to shut the door to the motel room and then actively resisted arrest as officers entered the room to secure the scene. As officers attempted to take Henderson into custody they saw multiple bags of what appeared to be crack cocaine in plain view. Henderson then tried to swallow the drugs when officers began to restrain him.
At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found Henderson guilty of the following offenses:
Level 2 Felony – Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (Manufacture/Delivery/Finance), 10 grams or more
Indiana Code 35-48-4-1(a)(2)
Class A Misdemeanor – Resisting Law Enforcement
Indiana Code 35-44.1-3-1(a)(1)
Bernard A. Carter thanked the officers and prosecutors involved in obtaining the conviction and sentence.
“The professionalism and hard work of the Hammond Police Department are greatly appreciated by our office,” Prosecutor Carter said. “They were quick to respond, secure the scene and properly investigate knowing this case would head to trial. Their work allowed the jury to have a comprehensive understanding of what occurred.”
The Office would also like to thank Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dakotah Olah and team for their dedication to this case. Detective Sergeant David Hornyak, Officer Parker, Officer Wadkins and Corporal Siba with the Hammond Police Department along with all other officers and detectives involved.
