Federal prosecutors say Sharifa Nicole Henderson sent violent messages targeting Austin Metcalf’s family after Anthony’s murder conviction.
PLANO, TX — A Missouri woman has been federally indicted on three counts of interstate threatening communications after prosecutors said she threatened members of Austin Metcalf’s family around the end of Karmelo Anthony’s murder trial.
Sharifa Nicole Henderson, 34, of Kansas City, Missouri, was indicted Sept. 9 and arrested two days later in Kansas City, according to federal authorities and court records cited by North Texas news organizations. Prosecutors allege Henderson used Facebook Messenger and a telephone call to send threats in June against members of the Metcalf family. She has made an initial federal court appearance and is being transferred to the Eastern District of Texas, where the case is being prosecuted.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas Jay R. Combs said investigators connected Henderson to the communications through phone records, social media accounts and other evidence. Authorities said the messages included threats to stalk and kill members of the family. The indictment accuses Henderson of sending three separate threatening communications, including messages threatening to kill a family member and continue pursuing the person.
Federal prosecutors announced the charges Friday, Sept. 18. One communication cited in the indictment allegedly threatened to kill a member of the crime victim’s family and put that person in a body bag. Another allegedly threatened to “demolish” the family and strangle one of its members. A later message allegedly said the recipient would have to keep looking over a shoulder because Henderson would continue pursuing the person. The charges are allegations, and Henderson is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in court.
Authorities identified Jeff Metcalf, Austin Metcalf’s father, as a recipient of the alleged threats. Jeff Metcalf told FOX 4 that his family has received more than 100 threats since Anthony’s trial ended. He said the continued messages have taken a mental, physical and spiritual toll on his family. Both the Metcalf and Anthony families have faced harassment during a case that attracted extensive attention online and outside the courthouse.
The alleged threats followed the conclusion of Anthony’s murder trial in Collin County. A jury convicted Anthony, now 19, on June 9 in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf and sentenced him to 35 years in prison. Anthony’s attorneys had argued that he acted in self-defense. Jurors rejected that argument and found him guilty of murder.
The underlying case began April 2, 2025, during a Frisco Independent School District track meet at Kuykendall Stadium. Metcalf and Anthony, both 17 at the time, attended different high schools and did not know each other. Witnesses said an altercation began after Metcalf asked Anthony to leave an area under his school’s team tent. Anthony stabbed Metcalf during the confrontation. Metcalf was taken to a hospital, where he died.
The case drew national attention and generated intense online debate, including arguments centered on race. Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white. Reports of threats and harassment involving people on different sides of the case continued as the prosecution moved toward trial. Authorities also previously charged another person in connection with an alleged threat against Anthony, underscoring concerns surrounding the security of people connected with the proceedings.
Anthony later sought a new trial, arguing through his attorneys that problems with the original proceedings deprived him of a fair trial. Retired Kaufman County District Judge Michael Chitty denied that request Aug. 22 after reviewing the record, evidence and arguments presented during a two-day hearing. Anthony’s legal team has said it intends to continue pursuing appellate remedies, while his conviction and 35-year sentence remain in place.
Henderson faces up to five years in federal prison on each interstate threatening communications count if convicted, along with a possible fine of up to $250,000. A sentence, if there is a conviction, would be determined by a federal judge. Prosecutors have not announced a trial date in the federal threat case.
Author note: Last updated September 19, 2026.