Vernon Carl Henson

      The Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Midway area man on charges related to being a felon in possession of a firearm and being intoxicated in public. On September 26 at approximately 6:00 PM, Sheriff’s Deputy Chuck Menschik was dispatched to 7108 Hwy 126 N on a report of an intoxicated person discharging a firearm.

     Upon the deputy’s arrival at the location, he encountered a man, later identified as 47 year old VERNON CARL HENSON, standing in the roadway in front of the residence. Deputy Menschik approached and made personal contact with VERNON HENSON. HENSON at first denied having discharged a firearm, but he later informed the deputy that there was a handgun in his left front pants pocket. The deputy took possession of this firearm, which was determined to be a Armi Tanfoglilo Giuseppe Model GT 38C, which was loaded and a round chambered.

     Upon further inquiry, HENSON admitted to the deputy that he had discharged the handgun twice. Neighbors indicated to the deputy that the handgun had been discharged several times throughout the day when children were present in the area.

     VERNON HENSON is a convicted felon and therefore prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. HENSON was also found to be intoxicated by alcohol. He was arrested and transported to the Detention Center. He was booked on charges of:

Possession of Firearm by Certain Person (Convicted Felon) – Felony
Public Intoxication – Misdemeanor
Disorderly Conduct – Misdemeanor

     He is being held in lieu of $15,000 bond, and he will appear in the Circuit Court to answer on October 1st.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff