Russell Springs, Ky. – A man from Terre Haute, Indiana, has received a federal prison sentence following his guilty plea in a case linked to the firearm-related death of a Kentucky sheriff’s deputy. Shawn Michael Kays, 42, will serve two years and six months for illegally transferring a firearm to a convicted felon, an act which prosecutors say contributed to the tragic incident.
The sequence of events leading to the sentencing began on September 16, 2024, when Russell County Deputy Josh Phipps was fatally shot. The gunman, identified as 41-year-old Joshua Arnold, also died in the incident. Investigations following the shooting revealed that Arnold had been illegally provided with a Smith & Wesson, Model SD9VE, nine-millimeter pistol by Kays.
Kays was not implicated in the actual shooting, but court documents highlighted the gravity of transferring firearms to individuals with felony convictions. Following his prison term, Kays will undergo three years of supervised release, a standard procedure as the federal system does not allow for parole.
The investigation that led to Kays’ conviction was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies. The ATF Bowling Green Branch Office spearheaded the probe with support from the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, ATF Columbus Field Division, ATF Indianapolis Field Division Office, and the Kentucky State Police. This comprehensive investigative approach underscores the seriousness with which law enforcement agencies tackle firearm trafficking and its potential consequences.
The death of Deputy Phipps has stirred discussions around the responsibilities of individuals who engage in the transfer of firearms and the broader implications for community safety. Legal experts and local authorities continue to emphasize the need for stringent adherence to firearm regulations to prevent such tragedies. This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential repercussions of circumventing legal boundaries in firearm possession and distribution.