A Terre Haute man has been sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison for the illegal transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon. The announcement was made by 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.
Court documents revealed that Shawn Michael Kays, 42, transported and transferred a Smith & Wesson Model SD9VE nine-millimeter pistol to a convicted felon between November 2023 and January 2024. According to a criminal complaint filed on September 19, 2024, this firearm was later used in the fatal shooting of a Russell County Sheriff's Deputy on September 16, 2024. However, Kays is not charged with or alleged to have been involved in the shooting incident.
Following his prison term, Kays will be subject to three years of supervised release. It is noted that there is no parole available in the federal system.
The case was investigated by several agencies including the ATF Bowling Green Branch Office and the Russell County Sheriff's Office with additional support from ATF Columbus Field Division, ATF Indianapolis Field Division Office, and Kentucky State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Nicholas Rabold from the U.S. Attorney's Bowling Green Branch Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). This program aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement at all levels with community members.
On May 26, 2021, an enhanced strategy for reducing violent crime under PSN was launched by the Department focusing on fostering trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence before it occurs, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes effectively.