United States Attorney Susan Lehr has announced the sentencing of Denise Penke, a 52-year-old resident of Omaha, Nebraska. On February 7, 2025, in a federal court in Omaha, Penke was sentenced for the transfer or sale of a firearm to a prohibited person. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. handed down a sentence of time served, which amounted to five days. Following this sentence, Penke will begin a three-year term of supervised release.
The case dates back to January 4, 2023, when an individual cooperating with law enforcement purchased a Glock 43 9mm pistol from Penke at her residence in Omaha. The transaction was both audio and video recorded. During the interaction, the cooperator mentioned being a felon, a statement that was captured on the recording along with footage showing Penke holding the handgun wrapped in a yellow rag. At her plea hearing, Penke admitted awareness that the cooperator was indeed a convicted felon.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation into this case.