Kentucky Man Sentenced for Selling Guns to Thugs

A 49-year-old Richmond, Kentucky man, Aaron Shanks, has been handed a 60-month prison sentence for illegally possessing and selling firearms. The conviction stems from a crackdown by law enforcement on firearm trafficking in the state.

According to the plea agreement, between December 20, 2022, and January 17, 2023, law enforcement used a confidential informant to make several controlled purchases of firearms from Shanks. During one transaction, on December 21, 2022, Shanks sold a 9mm pistol and a silencer, which did not have any manufacturer’s marks or identification. Shanks admitted that he knew it was a firearm silencer, that it was in operating condition, and that it was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

At the time of these transactions, Shanks was prohibited from possessing firearms due to several prior felony convictions, including one prior offense for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Under federal law, a person who is prohibited from possessing firearms cannot possess or sell them, regardless of the circumstances.

Under federal law, Shanks must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years. The investigation was conducted by ATF, with assistance from the Madison County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paco Villalobos prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove handed down the sentence on Monday. The sentence is the latest in a string of convictions for firearm trafficking in the state. Those convicted often face lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s efforts to combat firearm trafficking have resulted in numerous convictions in recent years. The agency continues to work with local law enforcement to identify and prosecute those responsible for selling firearms to prohibited individuals.

Aaron Shanks, 49, of Richmond, Kentucky, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for two counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of an unregistered firearm. Shanks sold a 9mm pistol and a silencer to a confidential informant in exchange for cash. The silencer did not have any manufacturer’s marks or identification and was not registered to Shanks in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Shanks was prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions, including one prior offense for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.