Louisville, KY – A Louisville man was sentenced on February 4, 2026, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.According to court documents, Clarence Stiff, 44, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.On October 27, 2023, Stiff was detained by Louisville Metro Police Department detectives and ATF task force officers, who were attempting to execute a search warrant for Stiff’s DNA. Stiff fled from the detectives. The officers caught Stiff after a brief foot chase. Stiff had a loaded Ruger, New Model Blackhawk, .45 caliber revolver in his sweatshirt pocket.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, Kentucky, Stiff was convicted of assault in the first degree.On December 22, 1999, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Kentucky, 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.On December 20, 2007, in Oldham Circuit Court, Kentucky, Stiff was convicted of promoting contraband in the first degree.On September 5, 2013, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Kentucky, 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, Kentucky, 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, Kentucky, Stiff was convicted of torture of a dog/cat with serious physical injury/death.On April 10, 2023, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Kentucky, 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).Based upon his criminal history, Stiff was sentenced as an Armed Career Criminal. A defendant is an Armed Career Criminal if (1) the defendant possesses a firearm after having a felony conviction and (2) the defendant has three previous convictions for a violent felony or serious drug offense or both, committed on occasions different from one another.United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Stiff has terrorized the citizens of Louisville since 1999. He has repeatedly left victims and tragedy in his wake. No more! Stiff will spend the next 15 years in federal prison thanks to the dedicated work of the Louisville Metro Police Department, ATF and the United States Attorney’s Office. This office, along with LMPD and ATF, will continue to investigate and prosecute these violent career criminals aggressively and we will continue to make Louisville safer.” LMPD Chief Paul L. Humphrey stated, “A dangerous repeat offender who victimized our community for years is now off the streets. This outcome is the direct result of outstanding police work and the strong partnerships we maintain with the ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Our agencies remain united in our commitment to protecting the public and ensuring that those who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods are held accountable.”ATF Special Agent in Charge John Nokes stated, “This investigation demonstrates the impact a strong partnership between ATF, LMPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office can have on public safety…
Source: U.S. Department of Justice