Three-Time Felon Sentenced in Robbery, Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Narcotics

WASHINGTON –Naquel Matao Henderson, 28, a three-time convicted felon residing in  the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 56 months in federal prison in connection with a street robbery in Northeast when he crashed a scooter into a car stopped at a traffic light, demanded money from the victim motorist for a new pair of pants, grabbed the motorist’s satchel from around her neck, and then fled from police, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Following a six-day trial, a federal jury convicted Henderson on April 8, 2025, of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, robbery, and unlawful possession of oxycodone. In addition to the 56-month prison term, District Judge Timothy J. Kelly ordered Henderson to serve three years of supervised release. Government prosecutors had asked for a 72-month prison sentence. 

Henderson, aka “Marquel,” additionally is currently awaiting trial for a January 2019 murder. 

According to court documents, June 24, 2024, a police commander driving an unmarked cruiser requested backup at 2:15 p.m. at 15th and Benning Roads NE. He reported that he had just witnessed a potential robbery.  

A motorist had been traveling on the 1400 block of Maryland Ave. when she stopped her car at a traffic light. When the light turned to green, a motorized scooter ridden by Henderson collided with the front driver’s side of her car. The driver got out of her car to check on the damage and to see if the scooter rider was injured. Henderson claimed the crash had damaged his pants and demanded that she give him $100 to buy a new pair.  

The driver refused to give Henderson any money and pointed out that it was he who had crashed into her car. Henderson then pushed the driver with two hands and snatched the satchel that was around her body. As Henderson fled down the 700 block of 15^th Street, NE, tossing items out of the satchel, two police officers arrived and gave chase. During the foot pursuit, one of the officers observed Henderson crouching down near a backyard fence with a firearm in his hand. Officers eventually tackled Henderson and ordered him to release the firearm.  

Henderson fought and resisted while he struggled with an officer over a loaded firearm. Police eventually recovered a Glock 30, .45 caliber pistol with one round in the chamber, and an additional 14 bullets scattered nearby.  

 Officers searched Henderson and recovered 50 oxycodone pills. The pills were manufactured by two different companies and were stored in two different pill bottles – neither of which listed Henderson as the prescribed user of the narcotic.  

At the time of his arrest, Henderson had two prior felony convictions also was on pretrial release in D.C. Superior Court, where he was charged with numerous violent offenses, including conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder while armed. 

Joining in the announcement were ATF Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Washington Field Office and Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. 

The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shehzad Akhtar and former U.S. Attorney James B. Nelson. 

Surveillance photo of Henderson riding his scooter directly into the front driver’s side of the motorist’s vehicle as she approaches the intersection of 15th and Maryland Ave, NE.

Surveillance photo of Henderson snatching the driver’s satchel away. 

Police recovered a Glock 30, .45 caliber pistol with one round in the chamber, and an additional 14 bullets scattered nearby. 

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