Who is Henry Tenon, the first suspect arrested in the death of Jared Bridegan?

In one of Jacksonville Beach's highest-profile murder cases in recent memory, a relatively obscure longtime felon has emerged as the first suspect charged in Jared Bridegan's death. But Police Chief Gene Paul Smith and State Attorney Melissa Nelson made it perfectly clear they do not believe this was the act of just one person.

They announced that Henry Arthur Tenon, 61, was charged Jan. 25 with conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree murder with a weapon, accessory after the fact to a capital felony and child abuse.

But limited details have been released as authorities fear it could jeopardize the investigation. They've even ordered the arrest documents sealed for 30 days.

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What happened to Jared Bridegan?

On the evening of Feb. 16, 2022, Jared Bridegan had just dropped off his 10-year-old twin son and daughter at his ex-wife's home in Jacksonville Beach and was headed back to St. Augustine where he lived. With his 2-year-old daughter in the car, he stopped because of a tire on the road near the exit of The Sanctuary neighborhood.

In what police have called a planned, targeted ambush, the 33-year-old was shot multiple times at close range as he apparently attempted to move the tire. His vehicle's hazard lights were still blinking with his daughter sitting in her car seat unharmed. Police noted nothing appeared to have been stolen.

So who is Henry Tenon?

Tenon was born in 1961 in Hawkinsville, Ga., in Pulaski County in the central part of the state and north of Macon. He went to Vienna High School and notes on one of his Facebook accounts that he studied at Middle Georgia Technical College. It's unclear when he moved to Jacksonville, but Duval County court records document him here as far back as 1991.

His most recent arrest report lists his employer as Monitoring Pallet Inc. although there are no records of a company by that name in the Florida Division of Corporations. Several of his arrest reports list no employment. His most active Facebook account says he's self-employed.

What is Henry Tenon charged with?

According to State Attorney Melissa Nelson, Tenon is charged with the following:

• Conspiracy to commit murder

• Second-degree murder with a weapon

• Accessory after the fact to a capital felony

• Child abuse

How long could Henry Tenon have been involved?

According to a one-page information report in his court file, Tenon "on or between January 4, 2022, and February 16, 2022, in the county of Duval and the state of Florida, did agree, conspire, combine or confederate with other human beings to, unlawfully and from a premeditated design, effect the death of Jared Bridegan."

Was Henry Tenon already in jail?

Jail records show he was incarcerated and awaiting trial on unrelated charges when the Bridegan offenses were added. That last arrest was Aug. 18 on charges of possession of a weapon by a felon and driving with a suspended or revoked license on a third or subsequent conviction. The weapon was a shotgun found in the trunk of vehicle during a traffic stop.

What is Henry Tenon's criminal history?

Here's a rundown of his prior Jacksonville arrest according to court records:

• Aug. 13, 2022 — leaving the scene of an accident with property damage.

• 2016 — driving with license suspended or revoked, careless driving.

• 2013 — domestic battery for hitting girlfriend several times in the face, pleaded no contest, sentenced to 60 days in jail and 12 months of probation. The girlfriend filed an injunction for protection against him.

• 2008 — operating a motor vehicle with license revoked and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage.

• 2003 — domestic battery, pleaded no contest, sentenced to one day in jail and 12 months of probation.

• 2003 — operating a motor vehicle with suspended license as habitual traffic offender.

• 2002 — worthless check/obtaining property less than $150, pleaded guilty, sentenced two days in jail.

• 2000 — operating a motor vehicle with suspended license as habitual traffic offender.

• 1999 — trespass in structure or conveyance (occupied), battery and criminal mischief - $200 to $1,000 damage, pleaded no contest, sentenced to 25 days in jail.

• 1998 — driving with license suspended or revoked.

He also has two arrests in Chatham County, Ga.

• 2014 — driving under the influence.

• 2013 — driving under the influence.

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What is Henry Tenon's connection to Mario Fernandez Saldana, husband of Jared Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez?

Although Tenon's address is listed in the 8700 block of Old Kings Road in his most recent court documents, some people-finder online research tools list the 5200 block of Potomac Avenue. Duval County property records show Mario Enrique Fernandez Saldana owned the home from 2017 to October 2022. Shanna Gardner-Fernandez previously told the Times-Union he manages rental properties.

Have any other suspects been named in addition to Henry Tenon?

Officially no at the time of Tenon's arrest, but State Attorney Melissa Nelson openly stated, “We know Henry Tenon did not act alone.” They likely had individuals they were investigating but could not share that information.

Then on March 16, they announced the arrest of Mario Fernandez Saldana in Orlando. The 34-year-old husband of Bridegan's ex-wife is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony and child abuse.

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On Aug. 17, Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Lee Gardner, was indicted on the same charges. She was arrested in the state of Washington where she was living. Nelson said prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against her and Fernandez Saldana.

What did Henry Tenon plead to?

On the same day and just before Fernandez Saldana's arrest was announced, Tenon pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and agreed to testify against him and any others potentially involved. He also said he was the one who pulled the trigger, according to the state attorney.

How many years in prison does Henry Tenon face?

By agreeing to plead guilty to second-degree murder, Tenon will be sentenced to at least 15 years in prison and up to life, according to the plea agreement.

In accepting the March 16 guilty plea for second-degree murder with a weapon, the "state waives the sentencing guidelines, defendant agrees to testify truthfully against any co-defendants, state will drop counts 2, 3 and 4 at the time of the sentencing," the agreement reads. Those counts were for charges of conspiracy to commit murder, accessory after the fact to a capital felony and child abuse.

"Both parties acknowledge that the sentencing court will give weight to the defendant's life expectancy, his early and continuing cooperation in the prosecution of co-defendants and will hear all parties, including members of the victim's family in considering the appropriate sentence," the agreement reads.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Henry Tenon: What to know about the man arrested in Jared Bridegan case