A Cowden resident has been sentenced to five years in prison for unlawful possession of a stun gun, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, and theft by deception. Shelby County State’s Attorney Nichole Kroncke announced that 24-year-old Shenandoah Depew of Cowden was sentenced.
The incident took place on April 30th, 2021, as a former deputy employed by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office executed a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Depew as she exited McDonald’s parking lot in Shelbyville. According to police, the deputy directed her to exit the vehicle to effect an arrest on an active arrest warrant. Depew refused to exit the vehicle, stating the warrant was wrongfully issued and concealed the key to the vehicle in he bra. A rubber tube containing meth was located during a search and a stun gun. Depew had a revoked FOID card.
On June 23rd, 2021, Depew knowingly and by deception obtained control over home furnishings offered for sale by Short Furniture, Shelbyville. The value exceeded $500, a class 3 Felony with a sentencing range of 2-5 years in prison. Depew purchased furnishings exceeding $3,000 by utilizing a check on a closed account. The case was investigated by the Shelbyville Police Department. Depew was sentenced to probation for a felony retail theft in a 2020 Coles County Case. This is her first prison sentence.
