Calloway County woman sentenced to 18 months in prison for illegally transporting stolen firearm
PADUCAH, Ky. (KBSI) – A Calloway County woman was sentenced Tuesday to a year and a half in prison for illegally transporting a stolen firearm that was used to kill a Calloway County chief deputy in 2022.
Denise Collins, 35, illegally transported and received a stolen firearm outside of the state of Kentucky on April 25, according to court documents.
The firearm was a Sig Sauer, model P365 XL, .9 millimenter semi-automatic pistol. It transported from Tennessee to Kentucky by Collins with help from Gary Rowland, according to the United State’s Attorney’s Office Western District of Kentucky.
The firearm was used to killed Calloway County Chief Deputy Jody Cash on May 15, 2022.
Collins was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The tragic murder of Chief Deputy Cash serves a stark reminder for all Kentuckians of the sacrifices made daily by those who wear the badge and keep our communities safe,” said U.S. Attorney Bennett. “Along with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to strategically investigate and aggressively prosecute those who violate federal firearms laws so that the Western District is safer for all who live and work here.”
“Kentucky lost a hero, a man who dedicated his life to serving the Commonwealth, when Calloway County Chief Deputy Jody Cash was murdered,” said ATF Special Agent in Chage Morrow. “This is a terrible reminder of what can happen when a firearm ends up in the hands of someone prohibited from possessing them. ATF is committed to combatting firearms trafficking and the violence it can cause in our communities. I commend the ATF case agents, the prosecution team and our law enforcement partners including Kentucky State Police, Murray Police, McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, and the Paris Police Department in Tennessee, who worked together to bring some sense of justice to Deputy Cash and his family.”
ATF investigated the case with assistance from the Kentucky State Police, Murray Police Department, McCracken County Sheriff’s Office and the Paris, Tennessee Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Porter prosecuted the case.
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