Dawn Love Rochon, Gun Purchase Scheme, Indiana 2023
An Indianapolis woman has been sentenced to 13 months in federal prison for her role in the illegal purchase of a handgun used in the murder of Boone County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Pickett.
Dawn Love Rochon, 30, was found guilty of making a false statement on a federal form regarding her residential address when she purchased a Taurus PT709 9mm handgun from Indy Gun Bunker on February 28, 2017.
The handgun was later used by Anthony Baumgardt to shoot and kill Deputy Pickett on March 2, 2018. Baumgardt has since pleaded guilty to Pickett's murder and was sentenced to life in prison.
Assistant United States Attorney William L. McCoskey described Rochon's illegal purchase as 'the first link in a terrible and tragic chain of events leading to the murder of Jake Pickett.'
Rochon must serve three years of supervised release after her sentence, according to McCoskey.
The case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Indiana State Police, and the Boone County Sheriff's Department.
United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in bringing the case to justice, saying, 'When firearms are illegally purchased, possessed, or sold, it's never for a good reason and the results are often tragic.'
Rochon's sentence demonstrates the office's commitment to prosecuting individuals who commit violent crimes involving firearms, said Minkler.
Defendant: Dawn Love Rochon
Criminal Charges: Making a false statement on a federal form regarding residential address
City and State: Indianapolis, Indiana
Date: February 28, 2017 (purchase) and March 2, 2018 (murder)
Sentence: 13 months in federal prison, with three years of supervised release
Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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