2 Terre Haute suspects 'lie and buy' gun that killed Officer Pitts

ICN file photo

​By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

Pitts

Terre Haute Police Department Officer Robert Pitts
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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.

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• Tiffany N. Dean, 33, West Terre Haute, faces charges of making a false statement when purchasing a firearm.
• Dean's brother, Levi M. Brenton, 20, of Terre Haute, faces charges including conspiracy to make false statements when purchasing a firearm, possession of a firearm by an unlawful drug user and selling/giving a firearm to an unlawful drug user.

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.

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Pickett

​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.

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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:

• Franklin Fitzpatrick, 42, Louisville, charged in Evansville, two-time convicted felon actively engaged in methamphetamine distribution while in possession of three handguns.
• Korrtel Filzen, 28, Indianapolis, convicted felon charged with brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and eight business robberies in Indianapolis.
• Brennan Rogers, 48, Indianapolis, felon in possession of a 9mm handgun, 9mm tec-9 pistol and illicit drugs.
• Anthony White, 20, and Brian York, 30, both from Indianapolis, charged with brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and robbing six Dollar General stores and a BP Gas Station
• Lemontrae Bible, 24, Indianapolis, convicted felon on two separate drug-related charges in possession of loaded .22 caliber pistol.