Sharifa Nicole Henderson, 34, has been federally indicted in Texas on allegations that she threatened members of Austin Metcalf’s family after Karmelo Anthony was convicted in the teenager’s killing. Henderson was arrested in Kansas City on September 11, two days after a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas returned the indictment. Prosecutors allege that she made three threatening communications over two days in June. If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison on each count.
| 1) | Federal indictment and arrest |
|---|---|
| 2) | Alleged messages and phone call |
| 3) | Background to the Metcalf case |
| 4) | Wider threats and public tensions |
| 5) | Potential penalties and next steps |
Federal indictment and arrest
The federal case was filed in the Eastern District of Texas, where the alleged victims and the underlying criminal case are located. A grand jury indicted Sharifa Nicole Henderson on September 9 on three counts of interstate threatening communications. Federal authorities arrested her in Kansas City on September 11. The charges concern alleged communications sent across state lines and do not constitute a conviction.
Alleged messages and phone call
According to the indictment, the alleged threats followed the conclusion of Karmelo Anthony’s trial on June 9. On June 10, Henderson allegedly used Facebook Messenger to tell a member of the Metcalf family that she would kill them and place them in a body bag. The indictment says the message also included language asserting that it was a threat and challenging the recipient to take her to court.
Later on June 10, prosecutors allege Henderson called the Collin County government, which prosecuted Anthony, and threatened to demolish the Metcalf family and strangle one of its members. The indictment alleges that she sent another Facebook Messenger message to a family member on June 11.
“Don’t worry I’ll kill you next,” the message allegedly said. “I will hunt you forever until I kill you…I will be there. You will always have to look over your shoulder.”
Background to the Metcalf case
The threats arose after a highly publicized homicide case in Frisco, Texas. Austin Metcalf, 17, was fatally stabbed in the chest during a regional high school track meet at Kuykendall Stadium on April 2, 2025. Investigators said Karmelo Anthony, then a student at Frisco Centennial High School, went to the Memorial High School team’s tent and sat beneath it.
Prosecutors said Metcalf told Anthony to leave, leading to a confrontation that ended with the stabbing. Surveillance footage later released by authorities showed Anthony leaving the tent area. Authorities also said they found no evidence that the two teenagers knew one another before the incident.
Wider threats and public tensions
A Collin County jury convicted Anthony, now 19, and sentenced him to 35 years in prison. A judge later denied his motion for a new trial, while his family prepares another appeal. The verdict and trial generated national attention and intense public debate, including disputes over jury composition and demonstrations outside the Collin County Courthouse.
Jeff Metcalf, Austin Metcalf’s father, recently said the family had received more than 100 threats since the murder trial ended. The federal indictment against Henderson addresses three specific allegations and does not establish who was responsible for any other reported threats.
Potential penalties and next steps
Each of the three federal counts carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison if Henderson is convicted. The case will proceed through the federal court system, where prosecutors must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The indictment identifies the alleged communications, while further proceedings will determine the evidence and any defenses presented by Henderson.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Henderson was indicted on three federal threatening-communications counts. |
| 2 | She was arrested in Kansas City on September 11. |
| 3 | The alleged threats followed Anthony’s June 9 conviction. |
| 4 | The alleged communications targeted the Metcalf family and involved a call to Collin County government. |
| 5 | Each count carries a potential maximum sentence of five years. |
Summary
The indictment places three alleged threats against the Metcalf family into federal court following the conviction of Karmelo Anthony. The allegations are separate from the homicide case and remain unproven unless established at trial. The proceedings will determine whether the communications violated federal law and what penalties, if any, apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was indicted?
Sharifa Nicole Henderson, 34, was indicted in the Eastern District of Texas.
What is she accused of doing?
Prosecutors allege that Henderson sent two threatening Facebook Messenger messages and made a threatening call to Collin County government officials.
What sentence could she face?
If convicted, Henderson could receive up to five years in prison for each of the three charges.
