A Terre Haute, Indiana, man is facing years behind bars for illegally trafficking a firearm police say was used to kill a Russell County sheriff’s deputy.
Court documents say 42 year-old Shawn Michael Kays was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison. The sentencing comes after Kays pleaded guilty to illegally transferring a firearm to a convicted felon last year.
The charges stem from a September 16, 2024, shooting in which Russell County deputy Josh Phipps was struck by gunfire and killed. The suspected shooter, 41-year-old Joshua Arnold, died in the shooting as well.
A criminal complaint filed just days later alleged that the Smith & Wesson, Model SD9VE, nine-millimeter pistol transferred by Kays to Arnold, a convicted felon, was used to kill Phipps. Kays is not charged with or alleged to have been involved in the shooting.
Kays’ sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This 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.
Source: WBKO
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