Dawn Nguyen has received the maximum sentence for falsifying business documents relating to the purchase of two weapons used in the West Webster ambush.
Dawn Nguyen will spend 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison for what State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Moran says was putting "2 killing guns in the hands of William Spengler."
Spengler shot and killed firefighters Michael Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka on Christmas Eve 2012, after setting his home on fire in West Webster.
"Ultimately, he [judge Moran] realized the proof had shown that it was a [gun] purchase for a profit and a purchase for a felon who is prohibited from having guns," says the Assistant District Attorney Timothy Prosperi. "He [judge Moran] wanted that message to go across the community that he won't allow guns in the hands of felons."
In the courtroom, first responders from West Webster showed their support of fallen colleagues Chiapperini and Kaczowka. That included Ted Scardino, one of the two firefighters injured in the shooting.
"It’s, you know, mixed emotions…glad that it's finally over. The judge’s words were spot on. He nailed it right on the head that she provided the weapons to him. While the sentence is the maximum that he gave her. It’s never going to bring back the two guys that we lost."
While Nguyen was taken back into custody, her family somberly filed out of the courtroom - some with tears in their eyes. Judge Moran says Nguyen's actions were much worse than the prison term he could give her. Defense Attorney Matthew Parrinello calls Moran’s words harsh.
"He was a prosecutor, he was a police officer. I didn't expect anything less," Parrinello explains. "She was a caring person, a giving person. I think that came back to bite her, ultimately, in the end."
Parrinello says they plan to file an order of an appeal, depending on the federal case.
Nguyen still faces federal charges for illegally buying weapons, using marijuana and selling firearms to a convicted felon.
A hearing in that court is set for Wednesday.
