Three Charged in Deadly Police Shootings

Indianapolis, IN – Two police officers, Boone County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Pickett and Terre Haute Police Officer Robert Pitts, were tragically killed with firearms that were illegally purchased and possessed by three defendants, according to a federal indictment unveiled by the United States Attorney Josh Minkler.

Dawn Rochon, 29, of Indianapolis, has been charged with eight counts of making false statements when acquiring firearms. Tiffany N. Dean, 33, of West Terre Haute, faces charges of making a false statement when purchasing a firearm, while her brother, Levi M. Brenton, 20, of Terre Haute, has been accused of conspiracy to make false statements when purchasing a firearm, as well as 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. ‘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.’

According to court documents and testimony, Rochon allegedly made an illegal purchase of a 9mm handgun in February 2017 from a gun store in Indianapolis, making 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.

Similarly, in February 2017, Tiffany N. Dean is alleged to have purchased a 9mm handgun from a gun store in Terre Haute. Dean completed required paperwork for the purchase, indicating the gun was for her, when in fact the gun was being purchased for her brother Levi M. Brenton because he was ‘too young to buy it.’

Brenton then sold the gun for $350. That same gun was allegedly used in the killing of Terre Haute Police Officer Robert Pitts in May 2018. The ATF remains committed to removing violent criminals from our communities, including those who provide firearms to individuals who are prohibited from having them,’ stated Trevor A. Velinor, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division.

In January 2018, Minkler introduced a violence reduction strategy called Project Safe Neighborhoods, specifically aimed at reducing the number of homicides and non-fatal shootings in both Indianapolis and Evansville. To date, 117 PSN cases have been charged, including Franklin Fitzpatrick, 42, who was charged in Evansville for actively engaging in methamphetamine distribution while in possession of three handguns.

Other notable cases include Korrtel Filzen, 28, who was charged with brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and eight business robberies in Indianapolis, and Brennan Rogers, 48, who was a felon in possession of a 9mm handgun, 9mm tec-9 pistol, and illicit drugs.

An Assistant United States Attorney is assigned to each IMPD District and works closely with the Evansville Police Department to prosecute individuals who illegally carry firearms. The lasting damage that gun violence does to our communities cannot be overstated,’ Velinor added. ‘ATF will work tirelessly to address and combat gun violence perpetrated against our community and the men and women in law enforcement.’

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