By Kathy Laird and James Massara
COLUMBUS – Alex F. Henize, 29, formerly of Bucyrus and currently of Gahanna appeared in Franklin County Common Pleas Court recently to make a plea on multiple high-level felony charges.
The charges against Henize include trafficking in drugs, a first-degree felony with specifications of use of a firearm subject to forfeiture; illegal manufacture of drugs, a first-degree felony with firearm specification forfeiture; possession of drugs, a second-degree felony; use of a firearm, a second-degree felony; and possession of drugs, a second-degree felony; endangering children, a third-degree felony; and receiving proceeds subject to forfeiture, a fifth-degree felony.
Henize pleaded not guilty on all charges after being indicted by the Franklin County Grand Jury.
Henize was arrested in his residence Dec. 26.
Henize allegedly held his girlfriend and her two-year-old child at gunpoint after she refused his marriage proposal. She was able to contact a member of her family who called 911.
According to a report by the Columbus Police Department, Henize left the residence without incident and the victim allowed officers in to search the residence for the firearm allegedly used.
During the search, police recovered five kilos, approximately 11 pounds, of fentanyl, firearms and $20,000 cash.
The fully story of his arrest may be found here.
Judge Jeffery Brown set a surety bond at $800,000 and Henize remains in the Franklin County jail.
Henize’s next court appearance is March 28 at 9 a.m. in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court for a pretrial hearing.