Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville returned an indictment on February 6, 2024, charging a Louisville man with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.
According to the indictment, Clarence Andrew Stiff, 42, is charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On October 17, 2023, Stiff possessed a Ruger, New Model Blackhawk, .45 caliber revolver, and ammunition. Stiff was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses.
On December 22, 1999, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Stiff was convicted of assault in the first degree.
On December 22, 1999, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Stiff was convicted of assault under extreme emotional disturbance and wanton endangerment in the first degree.
On September 4, 2007, in Clark Superior Court, Indiana, Stiff was convicted of dealing in cocaine and resisting law enforcement.
On December 20, 2007, in Oldham Circuit Court, Stiff was convicted of promoting contraband in the first degree.
On September 5, 2013, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Stiff was convicted of manslaughter in the first degree (two counts), burglary in the first degree, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, wanton endangerment in the first degree, and tampering with physical evidence.
On August 15, 2013, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Stiff was convicted of robbery in the second degree (two counts), assault in the second degree, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
On August 15, 2013, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Stiff was convicted of torture of a dog/cat with serious physical injury/death.
On April 10, 2023, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Stiff was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, and receiving stolen property (firearm).
The defendant made his initial court appearance this week before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. The Court ordered the defendant detained pending trial. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is being investigated by the ATF with assistance from the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Erwin Roberts is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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