Oregon District shooter’s friend hasn’t started prison sentence

DAYTON — Nearly six months after he was sentenced to 32 months in prison for federal firearms charges connected to the mass shooting in the Oregon District, Ethan Kollie still has not started his prison sentence.

>> City plans events to remember the anniversary of the Oregon District mass shooting

Kollie’s attorney Nick Gounaris told News Center 7′s Cheryl McHenry the delay is due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Gounaris expects Kollie to report to federal prison in the near future.

>> The victims in the Oregon District Shooting

Prosecutors haven’t said that Kollie was involved in planning or executing the shooting, and the charges didn’t involve the weapon the shooter Connor Betts used to kill nine people before he was shot and killed by police.

Instead, according to Vipal Patel, first assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Ohio, prosecutors accused Kollie of buying the body armor, the double-barrel drum-style magazine, and the upper receiver to the pistol that Betts used. Kollie was also accused of lying on a background check, saying that he did not use drugs.

During Kollie’s sentencing, the judge ordered him to surrender all weapons and he will not be allowed to legally purchase weapons again.

>> Dayton Shooting: City honors 6 officers who stopped suspect

In February, Kollie said he had a lot of time to think about where he was in his life since being arrested.  He said his wrong decision to use drugs played a part.

Kollie said he’s been sober since his arrest and that he’s cut ties with a large group of people that negatively influenced him.  He also said he’s moved closer to his supportive family.

After he serves his time in prison, Kollie will be on probation for three years.

Cox Media Group