Biden's decision to free Detroit drug dealer backfires horribly just 14 months later

By WILKO MARTÍNEZ-CACHERO, US REPORTER Published: 05:37, 30 April 2026 | Updated: 05:42, 30 April 2026 A Detroit area drug dealer who was freed by Joe Biden is back behind bars just 14 months later after being freed. Henri Leigh Buckner, 44, was sentenced to seven years and 10 months in prison for cocaine distribution in May 2023. Biden commuted his sentence last January 17 as part of an initiative to free thousands of nonviolent drug offenders. He had served less than two years. Buckner allegedly took little time to return to criminal behavior after leaving prison, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducting 'both covert and physical surveillance' of him since last July. Buckner was described as a 'large–scale narcotics trafficker,' per a criminal complaint filed last Thursday in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. He was charged with distribution and conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.  Law enforcement believed Buckner had been 'distributing narcotics throughout the city of Saginaw at the kilogram level,' per the complaint, which also mentioned links to Detroit. Buckner allegedly appeared to be 'utilizing several individuals to further his efforts in an attempt to evade detection by law enforcement.' Henri Leigh Buckner, 44, has been charged with distribution and conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine Joe Biden commuted Buckner's sentence last January 17 when he pardoned nearly 2,500 people 'convicted of nonviolent drug offenses' The ATF and the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (BAYANET) conducted surveillance of Buckner, per the legal filing. According to the document, the surveillance was so extensive that both agencies became so familiar with Buckner that they could 'identify his vehicles utilized and current address.' A 'confidential source of information' indicated to detectives that they could 'purchase narcotics' from Buckner's associates, according to the complaint. The same source also told detectives that he was 'familiar' with Buckner. Buckner was charged alongside Tawan Terrell, Emanuel Daniels and Courtney Terry, per the filing. Detectives began surveilling Terrell this February and allegedly connected him to Buckner in both Detroit and Saginaw. Last month, detectives allegedly spotted Buckner driving Terrell's car, with the latter in the passenger seat, to Detroit. They allegedly met with Terry, who was described in the filing as Buckner's 'known associate and girlfriend.' Law enforcement then watched Terry and Buckner drive to a storage facility in Saginaw. Surveillance video allegedly showed Terry 'carrying a pink Bogg–style bag into the unit that appeared to be full, but when she exited the bag [was] noticeably less full.' Buckner was arrested when law enforcement tracked him down to a home in the 300 block of North Carolina Street in Saginaw (pictured) The ATF (pictured) and the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team surveilled Buckner, according to the criminal complaint The storage unit was raided by detectives last month after obtaining a state search warrant, according to the complaint. A plastic tote with a 'skunk Sling Smell–Proof Bag' and a large quantity of scented dryer sheets was allegedly found inside Terry's unit. The sheets were used to conceal seven kilograms of cocaine and 'each weighed over 1,000 grams with packaging,' the filing read.  In September 2020, Buckner was indicted by a federal grand jury on 21 combined charges related to narcotics sales, according to MLive.  He later pleaded guilty to distributing more than 28 grams of cocaine base and was sentenced to seven years and 10 months in federal prison. Biden commuted Buckner's sentence last January 17 when he did the same for nearly 2,500 people who were 'convicted of nonviolent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice,' per a statement released then. Buckner and Terrell were later followed to a home in the 300 block of North Carolina Street in Saginaw. Terrell allegedly 'retrieved a small black plastic bag from his back seat and walked toward Buckner with it.' When both men were near each other, police arrived, prompting Terrell to allegedly 'run up the driveway' and Buckner to 'walk away.' Both men were arrested and the black bag Terrell had on him had 'a kilogram of cocaine inside of it, per the complaint. Buckner is being held at the Bay County Jail and faces at least 15 years in prison if convicted At a separate home in Saginaw, investigators claimed they found more than 600 grams of cocaine hidden in ceiling tiles. Additionally, 49 grams of crack cocaine were allegedly found 'hidden in a sock.' 'There was also evidence of manufacturing crack cocaine and distribution within the building including plastic baggies, a pill press, digital scales which tested positive for cocaine, a microwave which also tested positive for cocaine, several boxes of baking soda, and a Pyrex Measuring cup,' the complaint read. Buckner is currently in custody in the Bay County Jail, according to The Detroit News.  If convicted, he faces at least 15 years in prison. The Daily Mail has reached out to the ATF, which signed the criminal complaint, for comment. A lawyer for Buckner was not immediately listed. The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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