Florence, SC – A Florence woman has been arrested following a federal grand jury indictment connecting her to the July killing of a Darlington County Sheriff’s deputy, according to the FBI Columbia Field Office.
Kristen Taylor Porter, 29, of Florence, was indicted on five federal counts, including making false statements during gun purchases and providing a firearm to a prohibited person, identified as Cameron Dennett. The charges stem from February and March 2025 firearm transactions that prosecutors say led to the July 1 shooting death of Deputy Frank “Devin” Mason and the wounding of Deputy Jacob Heatherly.
According to the indictment, Dennett allegedly used one of the illegally obtained firearms during the fatal shooting. Investigators say Porter falsely claimed the weapons were for herself while actually buying them for Dennett, who was not allowed to own guns.
Federal prosecutors say Porter’s alleged actions directly contributed to the deadly encounter. “We will hold individuals accountable when they knowingly provide firearms to those who cannot lawfully possess them,” the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a joint statement.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Everett McMillian of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina. It was jointly investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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