KC Reporter

An Independence, Missouri man has been sentenced to 19 years in federal prison following the seizure of 22 firearms and a large quantity of illegal drugs from his residence and two campers. Jonathan P. Henik, 45, received his sentence from U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner.

Henik pleaded guilty on April 4, 2024, to multiple charges including being a felon in possession of firearms and possessing various controlled substances with intent to distribute.

The investigation began on September 1, 2021, when Independence police officers attempted to stop Henik while he was driving with a revoked license. Henik fled the scene at high speed. Subsequently, on October 5, 2021, officers executed a search warrant at Henik's residence where they found an assortment of firearms and drugs.

Among the items seized were several types of firearms including Taurus .45-caliber firearms, Glock semi-automatic pistols in different calibers, Smith & Wesson .40-caliber firearm, Colt .45-caliber firearm, CZ 9mm firearm, Diamond Back .223-caliber firearm among others. Officers also discovered significant quantities of methamphetamine, THC edibles and waxes, marijuana packaged in heat-sealed bags totaling approximately 8.6 kilograms among other substances.

Further investigations led to Henik’s arrest on August 2, 2023 at his campers in Bagnell. Searches there revealed more firearms including a loaded Browning Arms Company .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol with a silencer and Polymer80 semi-automatic firearm along with additional drugs like cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms.

Henik’s criminal history includes prior federal felony convictions for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and use of a firearm related to drug offenses which makes it illegal for him to possess any firearms or ammunition under federal law.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh A. Ragner prosecuted this case which was investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force and the Mid Missouri Drug Task Force as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is an initiative that aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community organizations focusing on strategic enforcement priorities.