OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer says he's disappointed in a Georgia court's decision to sentence a woman to probation for illegally buying a gun used to kill an Omaha officer.
On Monday, a judge sentenced Jalita Johnson, of Atlanta, to 180 days of home confinement and a year's probation.
Federal prosecutors say Johnson said she was buying the handgun, a 50-round drum magazine and ammunition for herself. She later admitted she bought it on behalf of her boyfriend, Marcus Wheeler, a convicted felon.
Police say Wheeler opened fire on officers trying to arrest him on May 20, killing Officer Kerrie Orozco. Wheeler was killed when another officer returned fire.
Schmaderer says straw purchases are linked to gun violence, and "the court missed an opportunity to make a bold statement."
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