Terre Haute Man Sentenced to 2 Years and 6 Months in Federal Prison for Firearms Trafficking Offense

Bowling Green, KY – In a shocking turn of events, a Terre Haute, Indiana, man has been sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in federal prison for illegally transferring a firearm to a convicted felon.

According to court documents, Shawn Michael Kays, 42, was found guilty of transporting and transferring a Smith & Wesson, Model SD9VE, nine-millimeter pistol to a convicted felon between November of 2023 and January of 2024.

The firearm was later used to kill a Russell County Sheriff’s Deputy on September 16, 2024, a criminal complaint filed on September 19, 2024, alleged. However, Kays is not charged with or alleged to have been involved in the shooting.

Kays is currently serving his sentence and will be on supervised release for three years after his release from prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the ATF Bowling Green Branch Office and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the ATF Columbus Field Division, the ATF Indianapolis Field Division Office, and the Kentucky State Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Nicholas Rabold, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, prosecuted this case. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities.

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in Charge A.J. Gibes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police, and Sheriff Derek Polston of the Russell County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Violent Crime

Leopold Loebs, Murder Appeal, California 1964

Jul 20, 1924

Violent Crime

Joao Ribiero, Bank Embezzlement, California 2022

Jul 1, 2011

Violent Crime

Andrews Slammed with Federal Charges, California 2024

Jul 1, 2011

Violent Crime

Smith's Sordid Scheme Takes Center Stage

Jul 1, 2010