An Indianapolis woman has been sentenced to 13 months in federal prison for an illegal purchase of a handgun that was then used in the murder of Boone County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jacob Pickett in March 2018.
U.S. Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced the sentencing of Dawn Love Rochon, 30, July 23. Rochon was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney at the federal courthouse in Indianapolis.
On Feb. 28, 2017, Rochon purchased a Taurus PT709 9mm handgun from Indy Gun Bunker, a gun store in Indianapolis. Rochon provided a false statement on the federal form about her residential address. Since the false statement violated federal law, Rochon’s acquisition of the Taurus handgun was illegal.
On March 2, 2018, Anthony Baumgardt shot and killed Pickett using the Taurus handgun. Baumgardt has since pled guilty to Pickett’s murder and was sentenced to life in prison.
“When firearms are illegally purchased, possessed or sold, it’s never for a good reason and the results are often tragic,” Minkler stated. “Judge Sweeney sent a loud and clear message that gun violence will not be tolerated in the Southern District of Indiana and those who illegally acquire firearms will be held accountable.”
Upon her release from prison, Rochon must serve three years of supervised release.
This 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 Dept.
