A Michigan man who walked out of federal prison early thanks to one of former President Joe Biden’s final acts in office is back behind bars, facing charges nearly identical to those that landed him in a cell years ago.
Henri L. Buckner, 44, was charged Friday with two counts of possession with intent to deliver over 1,000 grams of narcotics or cocaine. The arrest marks a sharp turn for Buckner, who was among nearly 2,500 individuals to receive clemency on January 17, 2025, during Biden’s final days in the White House.
According to Department of Justice records, Buckner was originally serving a sentence of more than seven years for the distribution of cocaine base.
That federal sentence, which began in May 2023 following a 2021 guilty plea, was cut short by the commutation. He was released on March 18, 2025, having served less than two years of his original term.
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The new allegations, first reported by MLive, suggest Buckner returned to drug trafficking within a year of his release. He is now charged alongside three other individuals. Because of the volume of the substances involved—exceeding one kilogram—Buckner faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.
Court records from Saginaw County show that Buckner made a virtual court appearance on Monday. He is currently scheduled for a hearing on April 22, with a preliminary examination expected to follow the week after.
Buckner’s case highlights the scale of the January 2025 clemency actions, which set a record for the number of sentences commuted by a departing president in a single day.
While the move was intended to address sentencing disparities, Buckner now joins a small group of recipients whose return to the justice system has drawn public scrutiny. For now, he remains in custody as the legal process in Saginaw County moves forward.
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