Pine Bluff, Arkansas – A Pine Bluff woman has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting she lied under oath during a federal homicide investigation. Dezstiny Collins, 29, will serve 18 months behind bars for making false declarations before a grand jury, United States Attorney Jonathan D. Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas announced. The sentence was issued on April 10, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Brian S. Miller.
False Testimony During Federal Investigation
The case began when Collins was subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury on March 2, 2022. At the time, investigators were conducting a probe into the illegal possession of ammunition by convicted felons connected to a fatal shooting that occurred in Pine Bluff on February 26, 2019.
Despite being under oath, Collins “repeatedly denied being with the suspects from the February 26, 2019, shooting despite being confronted with surveillance video footage from local businesses that placed her with the suspects immediately prior to the shooting.” That footage contradicted her statements and showed she had been in the company of individuals under federal investigation just before the shooting took place.
Collins was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 3, 2022, on one count of providing false declarations to the grand jury. She pleaded guilty to the charge on December 5, 2024. At her plea hearing, Collins admitted that her statements during the grand jury proceedings were not truthful.
Prison Time and Supervised Release
Judge Miller sentenced Collins not only to 18 months in federal prison but also imposed an additional three years of supervised release following her incarceration. Because there is no parole in the federal system, she will be required to serve the full prison term.
The investigation was carried out by the Drug Enforcement Administration with support from the FBI and the Pine Bluff Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Fields handled the prosecution for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
Authorities emphasized the importance of truthful testimony, especially during serious federal investigations. This case serves as a reminder of the legal consequences of lying to a grand jury, particularly in cases involving violence and illegal firearms.
