3 Face Federal Gun Charges In Indiana Police Officers' Deaths

ACROSS INDIANA — United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced Monday that people have been charged for their parts in illegally purchasing/possessing firearms that were eventually used to kill Boone County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Pickett and Terre Haute Police Officer Robert Pitts. According to a release sent to Patch from Minkler's office, Levi M. Brenthon, 20, of Terre Haute, Tiffany N. Dean, 33, of West Terre Haute and Dawn Rochon, 29, of Indianapolis, are facing federal charges as a result of a violence reduction program by the Department of Justice called Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

According to Minkler, Rochon has has been charged with eight counts relating to making false statements when acquiring a firearm. Minkler reports that according to documents and testimony, Rochon is said to have made an illegal purchase of a 9 millimeter handgun from an Indianapolis gun store where he also made false statements on the purchase documents during February 2017, which reports claim is the same gun used to kill Boone County Deputy Jacob Pickett in March 2018.

Minkler reported the indictment further claims Rochon made three similar illegal purchases of firearms.

Also in February 2017, Tiffany Dean is alleged to have purchased a 9mm handgun from a gun store in Terre Haute, Minkler reported. Dean completed required paperwork for the purchase, indicating the gun was for her, when in fact the gun was being purchased for her brother, Brenton, because he was “too young to buy it.” Minkler says that according to the criminal complaint, Dean and Brenton went to the gun store together to purchase the firearm and Brenton left the store with the gun in his possession, before selling the gun for $350, which is said to be the same gun used to kill Terre Haute Police Officer Robert Pitts in May 2018.

More from Patch on Officer Pitt's death:

• Terre Haute Police Selling Memorial Bracelets For Slain Officer
  
• Boone Co. Sheriff's Dept. Members Honor Slain Terre Haute Officer
• Terre Haute Police Officer Killed While Investigating Homicide

Dean faces charges of making a false statement when purchasing a firearm and her brother, Brenton, 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.

“When guns are purchased or possessed illegally, it is never for a good reason and the results are often tragic,” said Minkler, in a statement. “We all continue to mourn the loss of Deputy Pickett and Officer Pitts and law enforcement must hold all those who contributed to their senseless death accountable. Those who ‘lie and buy’ guns will be prosecuted in federal court.”

More from Patch on Deputy Pickett's death:

• Man Admits To Shooting Boone Co. Deputy: Report
• Murder Charge Filed Against Man In Indiana Deputy's Death
• Indiana Law Enforcement Honor Slain Deputy Shot During Chase
• Police, Governor React To Boone Co. Sheriff Deputy's Death
• Boone County Sheriff's Deputy Dies After Shooting During Pursuit

Minkler introduced a violence reduction strategy in January 2018 called Project Safe Neighborhoods, aimed at reducing the number of homicides and non-fatal shooting in both Indianapolis and Evansville. An Assistant United States Attorney is assigned to each IMPD District as well as working closely with the Evansville Police Department to prosecute individuals who illegally carry firearms, which has resulted in 117 charged PSN cases to date, Minkler reported.

Terre Haute Police Department officials reported 45-year-old veteran Officer Pitts was killed on May 4 while investigating a homicide at the Garden Quarter Apartments.

Nearly two months before Pitt's death, 34-year-old Deputy Pickett was shot during a foot chase in Lebanon. A 21-year-old man faces murder charges in Pickett's death.

Images via Indiana State Police