Woman Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Firearm Purchase Resulting in Tragic Police Officer Shooting

Regina Lewis, a 28-year-old woman from Normal, Illinois, has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for her involvement in an illegal firearm purchase and transfer scheme. The case revolves around a conspiracy that led to the shooting and tragic death of Champaign, Illinois, Police Officer Christopher Oberheim.

Lewis pleaded guilty to conspiring with co-defendant Ashantae Corruthers and the now-deceased Darion M. Lafayette to purchase and transfer a firearm illegally. Lafayette, a convicted felon, was unable to legally buy a firearm himself, leading to what's commonly known as a "straw purchase." On November 17, 2020, Corruthers, at the direction of Lafayette and Lewis, bought a Glock 48 nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol and nine-millimeter ammunition from a federal firearms licensee (FFL) in Indianapolis. During this purchase, Corruthers falsely certified on an ATF form that she was the actual buyer of the firearm, even though it was intended for Lafayette.

Lewis also admitted to conspiring with Corruthers and Lafayette to conceal their illegal firearm purchase. In April 2021, Corruthers falsely reported to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department that the Glock pistol had been stolen from her in March 2021. Tragically, approximately 23 days after this false report, Lafayette used the firearm to shoot Champaign Police Officers Christopher Oberheim and Jeffrey Creel, fatally injuring Officer Oberheim. Lewis and Corruthers continued their cover-up efforts even after Officer Oberheim's death, fabricating a story for an ATF Special Agent to deflect suspicion.

At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce considered the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which recommended a prison term of only 18 to 24 months. However, the prosecution requested an upward variance from this range, seeking a nine-year sentence due to the gravity of the offense. Officer Oberheim's four daughters and Officer Creel addressed the Court in support of the government's request for an enhanced sentence.

Regina Lewis will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until her transfer to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. She faced statutory penalties of up to five years in prison for conspiracy to illegally purchase and transfer a firearm and up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to engage in misleading conduct. Both charges carried a potential three-year supervised release term and a maximum fine of $250,000. The sentencing of Ashantae Corruthers is scheduled for February 12, 2024, in Urbana.

The ATF conducted the case investigation, with Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller representing the government in the prosecution.