Pennsylvania woman pleads guilty to selling stolen gun used in police shooting

A Pennsylvania woman pleaded guilty to selling a stolen gun later used in the shooting of a New York policeman, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Dec. 17.

Ciera Leann Bennett, 23, of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, admitted to police to stealing her mother’s gun and selling it for drug money, according to the statement by the U.S. attorney.

On April 26, 2012, Bennett along with another woman transported the stolen snubbie to Elmira, New York, where they sold the black Colt Detective .38 Special revolver. The gun ended up in the hands of Jamel Booker, who used the gun to shoot an officer in Ithaca in October 2012.

Police recovered the stolen gun on Dec. 31, 2012, in Ithaca after a Rent-A-Center employee found it when repossessing a couch, which belonged Booker’s girlfriend, and reported it, the Ithaca Voice reported.

Ballistics tests showed that the gun had been used in the officer-related shooting. Police also verified that the serial number matched that of the gun stolen from Bennett’s mother.

For stealing, possessing and selling a stolen gun across state lines, Bennett faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.

Sentencing has been scheduled for March 19, 2015, in Rochester, New York.

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