Henson Sentenced in Arson Case

(Cape Girardeau, MO) An Iron County man, 37 year old Lucas G. Henson, is going to prison after being sentenced to 12 and a half years for arson in the Mark Twain National Forest and assaulting a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer. In a statement form the United State's Attorney's Office Eastern District of Missouri Henson is also ordered to pay the U.S. Forest Service about $7,200 for the cost of fighting the fires he set. Henson was out on bond when he stole a van in October of 2022 near Poplar Bluff. He abandoned the van, and stole items from a camper, when it ran out of gas.

                                      The next day Henson stole a pickup and then burglarized a home stealing a 9mm handgun and a crossbow. Henson pointed the pistol at the truck's owner him and sped away with officers in pursuit. Henson crashed the truck in Mark Twain National Forest. He burned the handgun and other items before fleeing into the forest. When officers and K9 units got close, Henson started fires to prevent being captured. He also pointed the crossbow at a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer. Henson was eventually caught near the Black River. Henson pled guilty in March to assaulting a law enforcement officer, arson, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.