Terre Haute News
Indiana Central News
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute, Indiana
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By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News ![]()
Terre Haute Police Department Officer Robert Pitts
United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced today that two Vigo County residents have been charged for their role in illegally purchasing / possessing a firearm that was recently used to kill a Terre Haute city police officer.
Dean allegedly purchased a 9mm handgun from a Terre Haute area gun store. Dean completed required paperwork for the purchase, indicating the gun was for her, but in reality it was being purchased for her brother, Brenton. He was not old enought to buy a firearm at the time. Dean and Brenton reportedly went to the gun store together to purchase the firearm. In fact, Brenton left the store with the gun in his possession, according to the report. Investigators claim Brenton then sold the gun for $350. The same gun was allegedly used in the fatal shooting of Terre Haute Police Department Officer Robert Pitts in May. Minkler says illegally obtained fireams usually lead to tragic endings, and he vows to make those involved held accountable. "Those who ‘lie and buy’ guns will be prosecuted in federal court,”he said during a press conference today in Indianapolis. ![]()
Boone County Deputy Jacob Pickett
Similarly ---- in a separate and unrelated gun violence incident that claimed an Indianapolis officer's life --- Dawn Rochon, 29, Indianapolis, has been charged with eight counts relating to making false statements when acquiring a firearm. Rochon allegedly made an illegal purchase of a 9mm handgun in February 2017, from a gun store in Indianapolis. She also allegedly made false statements on the purchase documents. "The same gun is alleged to have been used to kill Boone County Deputy Jacob Pickett in March 2018. The indictment further alleged Rochon made three similar illegal purchases of firearms," the press release states.
A Plan for Action
A violence reduction strategy was introduced early this year, called Project Safe Neighborhoods. To date, nearly 120 PSN cases have been charged. The press release points to just a few of the serious cases investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Lawrence Police Department, Speedway Police Department and the Evansville Police Department:
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Lucy Perry
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© Indiana Central News. All rights reserved. Terre Haute, Indiana
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News Writer: Lucy Perry
EMAIL: lperrynews@gmail.com |