A Kansas City woman accused of making violent threats against the father of Austin Metcalf, Jeff Metcalf, has been indicted on three federal charges in Texas.
Sharifa Nicole Henderson, 34, was charged with three counts of interstate communications with a threat to injure, according to an indictment filed September 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The indictment says the threats were directed at Jeff Metcalf.
The indictment details several threats allegedly made by Henderson in June, including messages sent through Facebook Messenger to Jeff Metcalf.
In one message sent June 9, Henderson allegedly threatened to kill Jeff Metcalf, put him in a body bag and wrote, “now this is a threat take me to court [expletive].”
A separate message allegedly sent June 11 stated, “don’t worry I’ll kill you next,” followed by a threat to continue hunting Jeff Metcalf until she killed him. Henderson also allegedly told him he would “always have to look over” his shoulder.
The indictment also alleges Henderson made a phone call to the Collin County government on June 10 that was intended for Jeff Metcalf. During the call, she allegedly threatened to “demolish” the family and “strangle” a family member.
The threats came as the Collin County murder case involving Karmelo Anthony was unfolding. Anthony is accused in the killing of Austin Metcalf.
Investigators identified Henderson after examining phone records, internet accounts and other evidence. The investigation involved the FBI offices in Texas and Kansas City, along with the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, Collin County District Attorney’s Office and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri.
Henderson was arrested September 11 in Kansas City and appeared in federal court there for identity and detention hearings. She remains in custody and is being transported by the U.S. Marshals Service to the Eastern District of Texas.
Each of the three federal charges carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, as well as up to three years of supervised release.
Federal officials have said threats made against crime victims, witnesses, jurors, judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers, including threats made online, are taken seriously.