Held on $40,000 bond
Gila Herald Staff Reports
SAFFORD — An orthopedic surgeon practicing at Mount Graham Regional Medical Center’s (MGRMC) Mount Graham Orthopaedics faces felony drug trafficking and possession charges after law enforcement intercepted his luggage before a Bahamas-bound cruise departing from PortMiami on Tuesday.
Dr. Jacob Lee Henrichsen, 38, of Central — who has been seeing patients and practicing orthopedics in Safford since approximately 2025 — was arrested following a luggage inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as part of “Operation Temptation.” Investigators reported discovering THC gummies, MDMA-containing gummies, pills, capsules, and psilocybin mushroom chocolate bars among his belongings before he could board the Norwegian Jewel.
According to law enforcement, about 236 grams of gummies tested positive for THC, nearly 11 grams of gummies, pills, and capsules tested positive for MDMA, and the mushroom chocolate bars weighed nearly 160 grams. Because the quantities did not meet the threshold for federal prosecution, federal officers handed the case over to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
Henrichsen faces a first-degree felony trafficking charge and two felony possession charges. At a Wednesday hearing, his Miami attorney, Orlando Rodriguez, argued that the reported weights overstate the actual drug amount because the gummies are primarily composed of sugar and water. He made the same argument for the chocolate bars, which reportedly contain a small amount of psilocybin. A judge subsequently ordered Henrichsen held on a $40,000 bond.
Two other out-of-state passengers were also arrested on lesser drug charges during the same operation:
Two other out-of-state passengers, from left, Lori Ellen Watt and Kimberly Ann Shannon, were also arrested on lesser drug charges during the same operation.
Kimberly Ann Shannon, 57, of Norton, Ohio, was accused of trying to bring approximately 320 grams of THC gummies and vape pens aboard.
Lori Ellen Watt, 51, of Plainfield, Illinois, was accused of carrying approximately 480 grams of THC gummies and vape pens.
Hospital Response
Addressing Dr. Henrichsen’s arrest, MGRMC Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations Danny Smith released the following statement:
“We are aware of the news of an arrest involving Dr. Henrichsen. Our leadership is taking the allegations seriously. We have no knowledge of any previous incidents of this kind.
Be assured we will act responsibly as we learn more. The safety, privacy, and care of our patients remain our absolute highest priorities.
Because this news is an allegation, as well as a confidential personnel matter, MGRMC cannot provide further comments or details at this time.”
All individuals involved are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.